Gallagher dispute preceded the Navy secretary's forced resignation
The Defense Department attributed the departure to Esper's loss of confidence over Spencer's lack of candor, not to a direct Trump firing order.
Entities and roles
- Donald J. TrumpDonald Trump root
- Edward GallagherSubject of Trump-linked dispute preceding Navy secretary's departure
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. TrumpTrump rank-restoration recipient in Navy leadership disputeEdward Gallagher
Claims and evidence
- factdocumented
Nine days after Trump restored Edward Gallagher's rank, Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked Navy Secretary Richard Spencer to resign, citing lost confidence and a lack of candor about Spencer's private proposal to the White House concerning Gallagher; Esper then directed that Gallagher retain his Trident pin.
- U.S. Department of Defense: Statement on the Resignation of Secretary of the NavyDoD statement on Spencer resignation and Gallagher Trident