The acting secretary of the Navy offered his resignation Tuesday because of his handling of the coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the firing of its captain prompted sharp criticism, several news outlets have reported.
Thomas Modly submitted his resignation letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper after meeting with his boss, one report said.
Neither Esper nor the White House pressured Modly to resign, the official said, and it is unclear whether Esper will accept it. But USA Today reported Modly was forced to step down.
Modly decided to fire Capt. Brett Crozier when the carrier’s skipper leaked email to Navy officials showed him pleading for help as the coronavirus swept through the ship’s nearly 5,000-member crew.
Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, voiced support for Modly’s move.
But the initial decision and moves afterward prompted a firestorm.
More: Acting Undersecretary of the Army, James McPherson, has been tapped to succeed Modly. Mcpherson, a retired rear admiral, was the former Judge Advocate General of the Navy. – @rabrowne75 and I reporting.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) April 7, 2020
Modley flew to Guam and delivered a speech to the crew in which he lambasted Crozier, saying he was either “too naive or too stupid” to be in charge of an aircraft carrier. Audio of the speech was leaked.
Late Monday, Modly apologized for his speech, but many on Capitol Hill and other Navy personnel called for his ouster.
Never has a story I've written been so quickly overcome by events. I have no idea what Modly's resignation would do to the ongoing investigations since he is no longer in the position. https://t.co/eqoHt3zF15
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) April 7, 2020
On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Modly should be relived of command.
“Sadly, Acting Secretary Modly’s actions and words demonstrate his failure to prioritize the force protection of our troops,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement.
