I am confused about the Navy Secretary's resignation/firing

[nadine_mn]

I have read that Spencer threatened to resign if Trump interfered and restored Eddie Gallaghers Seal status

but then I read in the Washington Post that Spencer privately asked Trump to restore the Seal status.

"Esper asked for Spencer’s resignation after learning that he had privately proposed to White House officials that if they did not interfere with proceedings against Gallagher, then Spencer would ensure that Gallagher was able to retire as a Navy SEAL, with his Trident insignia."

So which is it? I'm so confused by all the spins

[choie]

1. I wouldn't believe any word said by

a trump official - so anything Esper says is most likely a fucking lie.

[struggle4progress]

2. "If you cross Trump, we get rid of you. Then we lie about why"

[Lindsay]

3. That would seem to be

the most likely explanation.

[Jewls2]

4. Ya, I am trying to figure this out myself. But, I am reading it a little differently than you.

I am reading it that Spencer told Trump to NOT interfere and he would make sure Seal got his Trident

[stillcool]

6. that's how I read it...

like the end result would be to Trumps liking. But...for Trump, the end result is not nearly as important as the show.

[Jewls2]

8. Right. So that being the case, I can get why Spencer would lose his job, per higher ups.

[pnwmom]

15. I believe Spencer, not the WH spin via Esper. I believe Spencer quit because he believed

in being faithful to the Constitution -- like he said in his letter.

[nadine_mn]

10. ok that makes sense - the idea of Trump wanting to make a big show

of restoring the Seal status - if he can't get his photo op he throws a hissy fit

[XRubicon]

11. Esper gave the reason for firing as: Spencer made a deal with the WH

behind his back, left him out of the loop. Therefore fired.

Spencer's letter states he would not follow an illegal order.

Trumps tweet is word salad.

I don't think it is clear what really happened.

[Jewls2]

13. So, Spencer trying to work a deal, telling Trump to hush and he will make it happen.

His boss saying he didn't know, not that it was wrong. And Spencer saying there was lack of integrity. Ya, sounds like we do not have the whole story. Right?

Edit to add, I can't read the letter. To little print

[pnwmom]

16. Why should anyone believe what Esper said, knowing how team Trump lies?

I believe Spencer.

[XRubicon]

5. Agree, it doesn't make sense so far. nt

[Gothmog]

7. This is an amazing resignation letter

Link to tweet

[2naSalit]

9. It appears, as I just heard on

an MSNBC show, that Esper fired Spencer and he wrote this "recognition of termination" letter acknowledging his termination.

[Tipperary]

12. I find myself confused also.

But I am so exhausted from “news” lately that I am very much out of the loop.

[NCLefty]

14. All we know for sure is that Trump let a war criminal go free to please conservative jingoists.

[Dorian Gray]

17. THEY'RE confused too...

They don't know what message they want us to have...

Unless confusion is the message. Muddle and muddy up the waters so much, nobody has a clue.