Pentagon chief Mark Esper told reporters on Monday that he was ordered by President Donald Trump to allow Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher to keep his Trident pin and remain a Navy SEAL following a conviction, adding that he asked for Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer’s resignation over a different matter.
“The case of Eddie Gallagher has dragged on for months and has distracted too many. It must end,” Esper told CNN on Monday. “Eddie Gallagher will retain his Trident as the Commander-in-Chief directed and will retire at the end of this month.”
