War Crime Pardons

[essentialsaltes]

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.

President Donald Trump intervened Friday in three high profile military criminal cases involving war crimes, a decision that ignored the strong advice of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and many of his most senior commanders.

Trump granted a full pardon to Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, a full pardon to Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and restored the rank of Navy SEAL Eddie R. Gallagher, who had been demoted.

Military leaders had conveyed to the President that a presidential pardon could potentially damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military leaders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of US allies and partners who host US troops.

 

[evoeth]

Support our troops by delegitimizing war crimes!

 

[essentialsaltes]

Wonder if Trump needs somebody to get rid of some turbulent priests or something.

 

[JackRT]

Support our troops by delegitimizing war crimes!

For decades the USA has resisted signing on to international agreements with regard to using an international court to try those accused of war crimes on the grounds that it would impinge on USA national sovereignty. Most nations have trusted the USA military justice system in the past. These pardons seriously endanger that trust.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Pardon William Calley!

 

[JackRT]

Pardon William Calley!

He was the only person convicted in the Mai Lai massacre. This was way different massacre than Custer. Custer attacked a peaceful Indian village and got exactly what he deserved. Mai Lai was much more like the massacre at Wounded Knee.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

He was the only person convicted in the Mai Lai massacre. This was way different massacre than Custer. Custer attacked a peaceful Indian village and got exactly what he deserved. Mai Lai was much more like the massacre at Wounded Knee.

I am sure that the unarmed women and children that were brutally killed at both massacres instilled unspeakable fear into the hearts of people that gunned them down that they were in fear for their very lives.

 

[wing2000]

President Donald Trump intervened Friday in three high profile military criminal cases involving war crimes, a decision that ignored the strong advice of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and many of his most senior commanders.

Trump granted a full pardon to Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, a full pardon to Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and restored the rank of Navy SEAL Eddie R. Gallagher, who had been demoted.

Military leaders had conveyed to the President that a presidential pardon could potentially damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military leaders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of US allies and partners who host US troops.

...ignoring the military leadership.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

...ignoring the military leadership.

Donald Trump knows more than all the Generals (and Admirals too)

 

[wing2000]

Donald Trump knows more than all the Generals (and Admirals too)

..my bad.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Trump Reverses Navy Decision to Oust Edward Gallagher From SEALs