Navy upholds firing of USS Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier

The Navy will reportedly uphold the firing of Capt. Brett Crozier, who as commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier loudly complained about COVID-19 outbreak on his ship in March.

The decision was first reported by Politico on Friday, based on two people familiar with the findings.

Crozier penned a scathing letter to Navy brass pleading for help in testing and treating for the virus. Crozier was fired after the letter became public. 

Before Friday’s decision, Defense Secretary Mark Esper had considered reinstating Crozier. 

Following a week-long probe into the letter-writing incident, the Navy originally concluded that Crozier should be reinstated as commander of the Roosevelt. That position followed a meeting between Esper and Adm. Mike Gilday, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, to discuss the findings of the investigation. 

That initial conclusion was overturned by Friday’s action.