Defying Prez, US Navy to expel SEAL commando

Washington, November 24 

The US Navy will proceed in its effort to oust a member of its elite SEAL commando unit, an official said on Saturday, defying the wishes of President Donald Trump. 

Edward Gallagher had been accused of war crimes in a high-profile case but was found guilty only of a lesser offense. On November 15, Trump reversed the demotion handed down to the 40-year-old under his conviction. The Navy this week launched a procedure under which a peer review board could strip him and three other members of his unit of their Trident pins — effectively booting them from the SEALs. 

A rankled Trump declared on Twitter on Thursday, “The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin.” On Saturday, however, a senior Pentagon official said the “peer review board was proceeding”. Whether Gallagher can remain in the unit or not will be determined by a panel of Navy SEAL officers that is set to convene in December. — AFP

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