Clemency for War Crimes: Trump’s Troop Pardons
THE ISSUE: President Trump’s clearing of three soldiers who had been accused or convicted of war crimes.
American democracy is rapidly sinking into tyrannical rule (“Presidential ‘SEAL’ Order,” Nov. 26).
A man who never experienced the horrors of war because he successfully evaded the draft now sees fit to usurp the US military code of justice and pardon convicted war criminals, Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and reverse the demotion of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher.
President Trump described the SEALS as “good men,” sending an unmistakable message that indiscriminate killing by US soldiers could continue with impunity.
What then stops the president from ordering war crimes and then pardoning the perpetrators? Wake up, Republicans. Your leader has lost his sanity.
Tejinder Uberoi Los Altos, Calif.
As commander, Trump’s common-sense rationale for granting clemency to Gallagher exemplifies why he was elected.
Charging a Navy SEAL with murder for allegedly killing a terrorist is tantamount to giving out speeding tickets at a NASCAR race. Jack Kaufman
Long Beach, Calif.
One by one, we have watched competent, honorable people leave or be forced out of prominent positions in the Trump administration, replaced by “yes men” who are unwilling to challenge the president.
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer is the latest casualty, finding himself out of government due to a disagreement with Trump over whether to punish individuals who have disgraced our country in combat by committing war crimes against civilians and captured prisoners.
The president falsely believes that “great warriors” must have a free hand to act as they see fit, even if it means engaging in abuse or murder. He overlooks the ramifications.
Spencer recognized that failing to sanction those who engage in aberrant actions leads to a lack of “good order and discipline.” Naturally, the president disagrees.
Oren Spiegler Peters Township, Pa.
Fired Navy Secretary Spencer said Trump “has very little understanding of what it means to be in the military.” However, draft-dodging, McCainbashing Trump understood enough to use his supposed “bone spurs” to avoid serving in Vietnam.
He apparently did understand that if he went to serve his country in Vietnam, he risked being shot.
Richard Siegelman Plainview