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The internet is flooded with messages of support for Navy Captain Brett Crozier, who commands the 5000 person crew of the Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier that was recently forced to dock in Guam.
Crozier sent a letter to the Navy this week begging for additional supplies and resources to aid the 93 people on the Roosevelt who tested positive for the virus that's become a global pandemic, as well as facilities for the additional 1000 people who need to be quarantined.
Crozier wrote in the letter:
"This will require a political solution but it is the right thing to do. We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our Sailors."
In response to the Captain's pleas, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly relieved Crozier from his post.
Breaking via NBC: The Navy is expected to announce it has relieved Capt. Brett Crozier, who sounded the alarm about… https://t.co/Kyl3X2wHc4— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1585860604.0
Messages of support to the Captain came flooding in.
A hero never lays claim to the title. He is Navy Capt. Brett Crozier. https://t.co/6T1nxqTSG5— Connie Schultz (@Connie Schultz) 1585863538.0
Captain Crozier KNEW this would happen when he wrote that letter. He sacrificed his career to save his men. Even… https://t.co/Nny91Fr6Xq— Fr. Robert R. Ballecer, SJ (@Fr. Robert R. Ballecer, SJ) 1585863152.0
We salute and honor you Captain Crozier. You are a testament to humanity and conscience, and a true hero. Just reme… https://t.co/zUZJnHpm7u— Elayne Boosler (@Elayne Boosler) 1585866485.0
Captain Crozier is a hero. The military brass or politicians who took away his ship are cowards. They failed to act… https://t.co/YEAIclxMwP— Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine (@Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine) 1585865819.0
Crozier will remain in the Navy and keep his rank, and Modly insists that he felt no pressure from the White House to discipline Crozier.
He said the decision came because Crozier went through improper channels when sending the letter, though he's still not certain if Crozier sent the letter to journalists.
Modly may claim to have felt no pressure from the White House, but retaliating against service members and other government officials has become commonplace in the Trump administration.
After Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman complied with a congressional subpoena in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, Vindman was unceremoniously fired and escorted out by security, along with his twin brother, who played no part in the impeachment proceedings.
Other career officials who complied with the subpoenas faced the same fate.
Despite Modly's claims, people were suspicious.
@kylegriffin1 Sounds familiar.— Midwin Charles (@Midwin Charles) 1585860952.0
@kylegriffin1 This ex-military man would never serve under this administration!— Blue Falcon (@Blue Falcon) 1585861200.0
This how the Trump administration treats whistleblowers. Crozier sounded the alarm about grave risk to his sailors,… https://t.co/mwvzEQ76B7— Tommy Vietor (@Tommy Vietor) 1585867310.0
@politico The fact that it came from Modly confirms it originated from tRump.— Baron Von Helles (@Baron Von Helles) 1585867496.0
Regardless of where the decree originated, people were livid at the decision.
The firing of U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Crozier only reinforces the distrust that enlisted personnel have for top brass… https://t.co/oZoJfoptCN— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈) 1585863301.0
CAPT Crozier knew he was putting his job and career on the line, but this is a shameful disgrace. A failure of w… https://t.co/RjPc8d1LbX— Kai Ryssdal (@Kai Ryssdal) 1585859677.0
@kylegriffin1 @noisyrebel1971 That is disgraceful.— ⭐️Smiley Smile⭐️ (@⭐️Smiley Smile⭐️) 1585861850.0
Disgraceful is right.