WASHINGTON, April 5 — US Defense Secretary Mark Esper today defended the US Navy’s controversial decision to remove the commander of a coronavirus-stricken US aircraft carrier, saying it was a “tough call” but that ultimately it was “a chain of command issue.” Acting US Navy Secretary...
File picture shows Captain Brett Crozier addressing the crew for the first time as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on the ship’s flight deck in San Diego, California, November 1, 2019. — US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Lynch/ handout pic via Reuters
The move sparked intense backlash with videos posted online showing sailors aboard the vessel cheering Crozier as he departed and more that 120,000 people signing an online petition calling for his reinstatement. It has also become a political lightning-rod as the Trump administration faces intense criticism for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Pentagon said on Friday that Esper had confidence in Modly, but Esper’s remarks to ABC were the first time that he publicly commented on the issue.
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