Trump fires US navy chief over handling of discipline case

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday blasted the U.S. Navy's handling of a Navy SEAL whose rank he recently restored following a court martial, saying he would not allow the service to remove his SEAL status. Lisa Bernhard has more.

The chief of the US Navy on Sunday criticised Donald Trump after being sacked in a dispute over an elite SEAL commando whose demotion for misconduct was reversed by the president.

Richard Spencer was ousted as Navy Secretary, a civilian position, in a case that has fueled reports that the US military leadership has been angered by Trump's interference in discipline cases.


"I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principles of good order and discipline," Spencer said in a stinging letter published by US media.

"I hereby acknowledge my termination as United States Secretary of the Navy."