- May 12, 2011
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President Trump recently pardoned Lt. Michael Behenna, convicted of killing an Iraqi prisoner, and appears to be preparing to pardon several others convicted or accused of similar acts.
This undermines the UCMJ - under which all but the civilian contractors were charged - as well as damages our credibility and good name as a nation. It sends a message to the troops that this sort of behavior is tolerated by their commander-in-chief and that they should not bother to report it. There's already a culture within the military, and certain units especially, that discourages "tattling." See the story behind Eddie Gallagher's accusation for an example, where the troops that reported him were told that their careers would suffer for it if they pushed the issue. Reinforcing that culture will only be hurtful in the long run.
Further, it suggests to other nations that our soldiers are free to commit crimes - both against combatants and civilians - without facing punishment. This damages any goodwill we might try to cultivate with civilians in countries where our troops are stationed.
This undermines the UCMJ - under which all but the civilian contractors were charged - as well as damages our credibility and good name as a nation. It sends a message to the troops that this sort of behavior is tolerated by their commander-in-chief and that they should not bother to report it. There's already a culture within the military, and certain units especially, that discourages "tattling." See the story behind Eddie Gallagher's accusation for an example, where the troops that reported him were told that their careers would suffer for it if they pushed the issue. Reinforcing that culture will only be hurtful in the long run.
Further, it suggests to other nations that our soldiers are free to commit crimes - both against combatants and civilians - without facing punishment. This damages any goodwill we might try to cultivate with civilians in countries where our troops are stationed.