Donald Trump takes his pettiness to a horrifying new low
“President” Donald Trump is a nasty man. He is now attacking the inflatable “Scabby the Rat” for supposedly being a major impediment to business. Trump likely will lose this battle, as it is a form of that pesky right known as free speech, but he probably still is hyperventilating from that rat being in front of his projects.
The latest from Chief Pettiness Officer Trump is related to the prosecutors who prosecuted SEAL Eddie Gallagher. The prosecutors had been given Navy Achievement Medals. Trump via tweet announced to the nation that he was withdrawing those awards. He tweeted:
The Prosecutors who lost the case against SEAL Eddie Gallagher (who I released from solitary confinement so he could fight his case properly), were ridiculously given a Navy Achievement Medal. Not only did they lose the case, they had difficulty with respect to information that may have been obtained from opposing lawyers and for giving immunity in a totally incompetent fashion. I have directed the Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer & Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson to immediately withdraw and rescind the awards. I am very happy for Eddie Gallagher and his family!
This is another dangerous precedent. It is vindictive. It sends a message to others that they best not report on, or pursue, suspected war criminals. Gallagher was convicted of one count and was demoted from Chief Petty Officer to Petty Officer First Class. He likely would have received more serious convictions except the medic confessed to ultimately killing the individual, although he had not disclosed that fact at any other time and it was in fact Gallagher who stabbed the individual ISIS fighter with his specially procured knife.
The move by Trump undermines the military justice system and is pure, unadulterated retaliation. Trump also interjected during the trial, something that presidents have traditionally avoided. While Gallagher may have had the title of Chief Petty Officer, it is Trump who deserves the title of Chief Pettiness Officer. He is a petty, vindictive, man whose actions endanger our democracy.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.