This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
December 27, 2019, marked a significant day in the life of Eddie Gallagher, a 40-year-old Navy SEAL. A video testimony published by the Times revealed shocking allegations against him, made by his former comrades in the elite commando unit.
According to the testimony, Gallagher was accused of shooting at a 12-year-old and targeting civilians. The allegations were made by special operator first class Craig Miller, one of the most experienced members of Alpha Platoon's SEAL Team 7. Miller described Gallagher as 'freaking evil.'
Another platoon member, identified as special operator first class Corey Scott, corroborated Miller's account, stating, 'You could tell he was perfectly okay with killing anybody that was moving.'
Special operator first class Joshua Vriens also shared his concerns about Gallagher's behavior, describing him as 'toxic.'
Gallagher has denied the allegations, dismissing them as smears by platoon members who could not match his performance. However, the video testimony has raised serious questions about his actions during his deployment in Iraq in May 2017.
At the time, Gallagher was originally accused of premeditated murder after allegedly stabbing to death a captured, wounded 17-year-old Islamic State fighter. His case became a cause celebre in conservative media, with Fox News championing his cause, and even President Trump voicing support for the SEAL.
Trump's intervention led to Gallagher being taken out of jail and placed in a Navy hospital, where he had more freedom. In July, he was acquitted of murder by a military jury but convicted of posing for a picture next to the body of the IS fighter.
As a result, Gallagher was demoted, and the Navy moved to remove his official Trident pin, an insignia signifying he remained a member in good standing of the elite group. However, Trump intervened again, ordering the pin and rank restored.
"The navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher's Trident Pin," Trump tweeted in November. "This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!"
