COVID-19 Update: Navy Recommends Reinstating Ousted Captain Of USS Theodore Roosevelt

A top admiral from the Navy has recommended the reinstatement of ousted Capt. Brett Crozier to Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Crozier was the commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, who's crew stricken with coronavirus.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday met with Esper and new acting Navy Secretary James McPherson at the Pentagon to discuss Crozier's reinstatement Friday. A Pentagon source, however, said that Esper was not prepared to accept the recommendation as he needed time to review the report of former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly.

"After the Secretary receives a written copy of the completed inquiry, he intends to thoroughly review the report and will meet again with Navy leadership to discuss next steps," Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Esper's spokesperson, said. "He remains focused on and committed to restoring the full health of the crew and getting the ship at sea again soon."

Hoffman also told NPR that Esper is "generally inclined to support Navy leadership in their decision" in the Crozier's case.

Crozier was relieved of his command on April 2 for "loss of confidence" because he allegedly used "extremely poor judgment" amid a coronavirus outbreak in the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Modly said that Crozier made a mistake in "leaking" an email to 20 to 30 people about his pleads to the Navy to evacuate his men for their health and safety.

"He did not safeguard that information," Modly said and blamed the Crozier's letter for creating panic.

Modly was criticized for publicly disparaging Crozier by saying that the captain was "too stupid" to command a crew infected with COVID-19. Rep. Adam Smith, the House Armed Services Committee Chairman, called for Modly's resignation, prompting the acting secretary to apologize and send his resignation letter to Esper on April 7.

"He resigned on his own accord, putting the Navy and sailors above self so that the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and the Navy as a whole, can move forward," Esper said in accepting Modly's resignation.

Meanwhile, Smith is also urging Esper to heed to Gilday's recommendations.

"The Secretary of Defense needs to reinstate Captain Brett Crozier as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt," Smith said. "While Captain Crozier's actions at the outset of the health crisis aboard the TR were drastic and imperfect, it is clear he only took such steps to protect his crew."

Navy officials said that if Esper reinstates Crozier, this would be the first decision reversal of a commander relieved of his duties due to loss of confidence.