Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer has been fired for refusing to halt a disciplinary process against SEAL Eddie Gallagher

Gallagher released a statement Sunday night thanking President Donald Trump for the numerous times he has intervened on his behalf

Spencer wrote in his resignation letter that he 'cannot in good conscience' obey the order to stop Gallagher's case

However, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said that he had asked Spencer to step down because he had gone behind his back

Esper said that Spencer had promised White House officials that Gallagher would retire with his SEAL trident if they did not interfere with his review board

Gallagher, who was accused of war crimes in Iraq, is due to face a disciplinary board that has the power to kick him out of the elite unit

After Spencer's resignation, Gallagher thanked Trump for being 'true a leader'

'You stepped in numerous times and showed true moral fiber by correcting all the wrongs that were being done to me,' Gallagher said on the president

Embattled SEAL Eddie Gallagher released a statement Sunday night thanking President Donald Trump for the numerous times he has intervened on his behalf shortly after Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer announced his resignation.

Gallagher, who was convicted by a military jury in July of illegally posing for pictures with the corpse of an Islamic State fighter in Iraq in 2017, called Trump a 'true leader' in a statement obtained by The Washington Examiner.

ADVERTISEMENT

'President Donald Trump, you have my deepest gratitude and thanks,' Gallagher said. 'You stepped in numerous times and showed true moral fiber by correcting all the wrongs that were being done to me.'

Gallagher, who has plans to retire as a SEAL by November 30, added: 'You are a true leader and exactly what the military and this nation needs. God bless you and your family.'

The SEAL's statement comes just hours after Spencer announced his resignation. Spencer wrote in his resignation letter that he 'cannot in good conscience' obey the order to stop Gallagher's case going before the review board, because he believes it 'violates the sacred oath' he took.

He added that he appears to disagree with Trump on the 'key principle of good order and discipline'.

However, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said that he had asked Spencer to step down because he had allegedly gone behind his back. Esper claimed that Spencer promised White House officials that Gallagher would retire with his SEAL trident if they did not interfere with his review board.

Scroll down for video

Embattled Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher (center) released a statement Sunday night thanking President Donald Trump for the numerous times he has intervened on his behalf shortly after Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer announced his resignation

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer (pictured)

Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper (pictured) asked for Spencer's resignation on Sunday

In a stinging rebuke (pictured) to the president, Spencer said in statement tonight that he 'cannot in good conscience' obey an order he believes 'violates the sacred oath' he took

Gallagher is due to face a disciplinary board that has the power to kick him out of the elite unit.

Trump tweeted a week ago that the board should not go ahead and Gallagher would stay in the unit.

It was reported yesterday that both Spencer and the admiral in charge of the SEALs threatened to resign if Trump didn't back down, but Spencer claimed that he never threatened to resign in a tweet, adding that he serves at the 'pleasure of the president'.

Following the news of Spencer's resignation, Trump said in a series of tweets: 'I was not pleased with the way that Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s trial was handled by the Navy. He was treated very badly but, despite this, was completely exonerated on all major charges. I then restored Eddie’s rank.

'Likewise, large cost overruns from past administration’s contracting procedures were not addressed to my satisfaction.'

Trump continued: 'Therefore, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer’s services have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. I thank Richard for his service & commitment. Eddie will retire peacefully with all of the honors that he has earned, including his Trident Pin.

ADVERTISEMENT

The president then said that admiral and Ambassador to Norway, Ken Braithwaite, 'will be nominated by me to be the new Secretary of the Navy'.

'A man of great achievement and success, I know Ken will do an outstanding job!' the president added.

Earlier today the White House said that Trump would not interfere in the process and it appeared as if the president was backing down.

Following the news of Spencer's resignation, Trump said in a series of tweets that he was not pleased with the way the Navy handled Gallagher's case

Trump then said that admiral and Ambassador to Norway, Ken Braithwaite, 'will be nominated by me to be the new Secretary of the Navy'

Trump's apparent about-face came just as Gallagher, who was demoted in rank after he was convicted in July of a war crime for posing with a corpse, appeared on Fox & Friends Sunday morning and praised the president for his continued support.

'I don't know how many times I can thank the president. He keeps stepping in and doing the right thing,' he said. 'I just want to let him know that the rest of the SEAL community is not about this right now. They all respect the president.'

Gallagher claimed the move to revoke his SEAL status was 'retaliation' for Trump's public bid to restore his rank the week prior and accused Navy top brass of 'insubordination'.

'This is all about ego and retaliation. This has nothing to do with good order and discipline,' Gallagher told Fox & Friends.

The SEAL also charged that Navy officers engaged in 'corruption' during his case - and revealed that he is armed with additional evidence against top officials.

'Just recently we come up more evidence that will be exposing next week that the secretary of the Navy [Spencer] was actually meddling in my case and trying to get organizations not to support me while I was incarcerated,' Gallagher said.

'They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted now trying to take it after president restored my rank.

'I just want to retire peacefully with all the honors that I have earned. Get back to my family,' he added, noting that he hopes to retire by November 30.

Click here to resize this module

US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FULL STATEMENT REGARDING SPENCER'S RESIGNATION Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper has asked for the resignation of Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer after losing trust and confidence in him regarding his lack of candor over conversations with the White House involving the handling of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher. After Secretary Esper and Chairman Milley spoke with the Commander in Chief on Friday regarding the case of Gallagher, Secretary Esper learned that Secretary Spencer had previously and privately proposed to the White House - contrary to Spencer's public position - to restore Gallagher's rank and allow him to retire with his Trident pin. When recently asked by Secretary Esper, Secretary Spencer confirmed that despite multiple conversations on the Gallagher matter, Secretary Esper was never informed by Secretary Spencer of his private proposal. Secretary Esper's position with regard to UCMJ, disciplinary, and fitness for duty actions has always been that the process should be allowed to play itself out objectively and deliberately, in fairness to all parties. However, at this point, given the events of the last few days, Secretary Esper has directed that Gallagher retain his Trident pin. Secretary Esper will meet with Navy Under Secretary (now Acting Secretary) Thomas Modley and the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday on Monday morning to discuss the way ahead. 'I am deeply troubled by this conduct shown by a senior DOD official.' said Secretary Esper. 'Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position. I wish Richard well.' Secretary Esper has proposed to the President that Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite, current U.S. Ambassador to Norway and a retired Navy Rear Admiral, be considered as the next Secretary of the Navy." Source: US Department of Defense

The alleged private proposal consisted of Spencer requesting White House officials to not interfere with the proceedings against Gallagher. If White House officials agreed, then Spencer would ensure that Gallagher was able to retire as a Navy SEAL.

ADVERTISEMENT

Spencer reportedly did not share information regarding the proposal with Esper, despite having multiple conversations about it.

In a statement on Sunday, Esper said he was 'deeply troubled by this conduct'.

'Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position,' Esper said in a statement. 'I wish Richard well.'

Spencer released his own statement that reads: 'Through my Title Ten Authority, I have strived to ensure our proceedings are fair, transparent and consistent, from the newest recruit to the Flag and General Officer level.

'Unfortunately, it has become apparent that in this respect, I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principle of good order and discipline.

'I cannot in good conscience obey an order that I believe violates the sacred oath I took in the presence of my family, my flag and my faith to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.'

Spencer added: 'The President deserves and should expect a Secretary of the Navy who is aligned with his vision for the future of our force generation and sustainment.

'Therefore with pride in the achievements we've shared, and everlasting faith in the continued service and fidelity of the finest Sailors, Marines and civilian teammates on earth, I hereby acknowledge my termination as United States Secretary of the Navy, to be effective immediately.'

Gallagher (right), who appeared on Fox & Friends Sunday morning, claimed the move to revoke his SEAL status was 'retaliation' for Trump's public bid to restore his rank the week prior and accused Navy top brass of 'insubordination'

Earlier on Sunday, a senior official said that the White House had given the green light to proceed with the review as planned on Friday, the day after Trump tweeted that the Navy 'will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher's Trident Pin'.

The Navy responded to the president's tweet by saying that it would be awaiting further guidance, and Spencer remarked that he did not consider the tweet to be a formal order.

Spencer and SEAL commander Rear Admiral Collin Green both reportedly threatened to resign if Trump halted the review.

Gallagher was convicted by a jury in July of illegally posing for pictures with the corpse of an Islamic State fighter in Iraq in 2017

Gallagher was acquitted of murder in the detainee's death in July, and sentenced to a demotion in rank and pay grade, but not prison time.

Trump intervened in the case last week, ordering the Navy to restore Gallagher's rank and pay and clearing the way for him to retire on a full pension.

But Navy brass notified Gallagher this week that a five-member panel of fellow Navy commandos would convene next month to review his case and recommend whether he is fit to remain in the SEALs.

Gallagher filed a complaint with the inspector general accusing Rear Adm Collin Green - the Naval Special Warfare commander - of insubordination for defying Trump's actions.

The Navy responded with a statement saying it would follow 'lawful orders' from the president to halt the review but was awaiting further guidance, suggesting his Twitter post was not considered a formal directive.

Removing the Trident pins means Gallagher will no longer be a SEAL but could remain in the Navy.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Navy has revoked 154 Trident pins since 2011.