Acting Navy secretary apologizes for calling ousted carrier commander 'stupid'
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly apologized on Monday night after insulting the former commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during a visit to the aircraft carrier.
There are roughly 5,000 crew members on the Theodore Roosevelt, and more than 150 have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Last week, the ship's commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, wrote a letter to the Navy saying "decisive action" was required in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 on board. "We are not at war," he said. "Sailors do not need to die." After the letter was leaked to the media, Crozier was dismissed; as he left the aircraft carrier for the last time on Friday, sailors chanted his name and cheered.
The Theodore Roosevelt is now docked in Guam, and Modly flew thousands of miles to visit the ship on Monday. In his remarks to the sailors — according to an audio version obtained by The Wall Street Journal — Modly said of Crozier: "If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get into the public, in this information age we live in, then he was either too naive or too stupid to be commanding officer of a ship like this."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Modly's remarks were swiftly criticized, with Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), a Navy veteran, among the many lawmakers calling on him to be fired. On Monday night, Modly said he does not "think Capt. Brett Crozier is naive nor stupid," adding, "I believe, precisely because he is not naive and stupid, that he sent his alarming email with the intention of getting it into the public domain in an effort to draw attention to the situation on his ship. I apologize for any confusion this choice of words may have caused." He also said he was sorry to Crozier for "any pain my remarks may have caused."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published