Gallagher dispute preceded the Navy secretary's forced resignation
Reporting and findings
- documented
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
Summary and current status
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.
Richard Spencer resigned; Gallagher retained his Trident
People and organizations
- 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