Pentagon chief fires Navy secretary over SEAL controversy

By Robert Burns and Rob Gillies The Associated Press

5 years ago

Acting Defense Secretary Richard Spencer listens during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room o ... — Acting Defense Secretary Richard Spencer listens during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington in July 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

FILE – In this July 2, 2019, file photo, Navy Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher leaves a military court on Naval Base San Diego. The secretary of the U.S. Navy said Saturday, Nov. 23, he doesn’t consider a tweet by President Donald Trump an order and would need a formal order to stop a review of Gallagher, who could lose his status as a Navy Seal. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper has fired the secretary of the Navy in connection with the controversy over a SEAL whose case has been championed by President Donald Trump.

A Pentagon spokesman says in a statement Sunday that Esper has lost trust and confidence in Navy Secretary Richard Spencer “regarding his lack of candor” over conversations with the White House involving the handling of the SEAL case.

Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman says Spencer submitted his resignation at Esper’s request. Esper has also recommended to Trump a replacement.