Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) – who lost his right eye on his third combat deployment in Afghanistan – is leading the fight to find answers regarding the controversial war crimes trial of a fellow Navy SEAL.
Crenshaw and 17 other House Republicans have written Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, urging him to investigate the pre-trial confinement of Special Operations Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, a highly decorated SEAL, who is accused of murdering a wounded Islamic State fighter.
The lawmakers are especially concerned that Gallagher has received insufficient food, medical care, and access to his legal team while awaiting trial. (Fox News)
“Chief Gallagher is a decorated warfighter who, like all service members, is entitled to the presumption of innocence while awaiting court-martial,” the Republicans wrote in their letter to Richard Spencer.
“We have received reports that Chief Gallagher’s access to counsel and access to food and medical care may have been restricted,” they added. “As a result, we respectfully request that you review the Navy policies governing pretrial confinement for Chief Gallagher and other service members to ensure compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
The letter was signed by Crenshaw, Mac Thornberry (Texas), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Kelly Armstrong (N. D.), Jim Banks (Ind.), Paul Cook (Calif.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Jody Hice (Ga.), French Hill (Ark.), Brian Mast (Fla.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Pete Olson (Texas), Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.), Austin Scott (Ga.), Greg Steube (Fla.), Van Taylor (Texas) and Michael Waltz (Fla.).
Gallagher’s family, in a statement provided to Fox News on behalf of his brother Sean, said it is “grateful Members of Congress are calling attention to what our family has been experiencing for 7 months: the abhorrent treatment of one of its most decorated warfighters.
Prior to his detention at Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar in California, Gallagher had completed eight combat tours.
AAN Staff
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