Statement on the Resignation of Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer

Statement

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and 30-year combat veteran, released the following statement on the resignation of Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer:
"Secretary Spencer served with honor and integrity. When forced to choose between his conscience and an order from Donald Trump, Secretary Spencer stood up to a lawless President who betrays the honorable service of the men and women who wear the uniform and diminishes America's moral authority. Secretary Spencer's patriotism, strength of character and commitment to putting country first are unfortunately rare qualities inside the Trump administration. This is a presidency that values expediency over principle. It is a dark day when the President stands with those accused of committing war crimes over a man like Secretary Spencer.

President Trump has subverted our military justice system and undercut all those who serve our country while upholding its values. As a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Army, I proudly took an oath to uphold both the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice - a system that ensures the American military is professional and disciplined force and that every service member does what is legally and morally right. Disregarding the code of conduct that binds warfighters and trivializing the values they defend, undermines good order and discipline and shatters the moral compass our troops depend upon on the battlefield. The United States is left in a perilous position when the foundational tenets of our Armed Forces and our long-term national security interests are seen as negotiable by the Commander in Chief."

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