Trump Intervenes in War Crimes Case After Watching Fox & Friends Segment

Earlier this month, 18 House Republicans, including Norman, wrote to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer to raise concerns about Gallagher’s detention. They alleged that Gallagher had insufficient access to his defense counsel and was being deprived of adequate food and medical care. They also complained that Gallagher and other pre-trial detainees were being improperly intermingled with inmates who have been convicted of serious crimes. On Thursday, 40 lawmakers called for Gallagher to be moved to a less restrictive setting.

On Fox & Friends Friday, Norman said he’d first learned about the case when he saw Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)—who is currently under indictment for allegedly misusing campaign funds—discuss it on Fox. Hunter has called for the case against Gallagher to be dropped entirely, saying, “There’s a reason we’re not winning these wars, and it’s because we go after our own guys,” according to the Navy Times.

This is not the first time Trump has publicly contemplated intervening on behalf of a service member charged with murder. In December, he tweeted that he would review the case of Maj. Matt Golsteyn, whom he called a “military hero.” That tweet also referenced Fox News.

At the request of many, I will be reviewing the case of a “U.S. Military hero,” Major Matt Golsteyn, who is charged with murder. He could face the death penalty from our own government after he admitted to killing a Terrorist bomb maker while overseas. @PeteHegseth @FoxNews
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2018