Top naval officials have reportedly recommended the reinstatement of Captain Brett Crozier, who was fired from his leadership post on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt after sending a letter calling for a better response to the coronavirus outbreak on his ship.

According to a report from the New York Times, Admiral Mike Gilday communicated the recommendation of Navy officials to top government figures. Gilday is said to have met with General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Tuesday followed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday. The officials spoke to the AP anonymously.

Esper has reportedly asked for a delay in the announcement of the matter while he considers the possibility of reinstating Crozier. A spokesman for Esper has said that he is approaching the issue with an open mind. An announcement was reportedly planned for Friday but held back as Esper mulled the decision.

Crozier sent his letter to Navy leadership in late March, saying that solutions would be needed to help the up to 200 sailors on the ship who had tested positive for COVID-19. The captain was later removed from his post in April by Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who resigned a short time later. The move captured public attention and stirred up resentment amongst the ship’s crew, who applauded and cheered as Crozier departed the Roosevelt.

Over 850 crewmembers on the ship, which is currently docked in Guam, had tested positive for coronavirus as of Friday. So far, one sailor has died while over 4,200 have been moved from the ship to the island.

“The Secretary of Defense needs to reinstate Captain Brett Crozier as commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt,” Rep. Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said on Friday. “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. Crozier should be reinstated to his command immediately.”

After Crozier was dismissed, Trump publicly backed the decision during a briefing by the White House coronavirus task force.

“I thought it was inappropriate for the captain of the ship... I agree with their decision [to fire Crozier] 100%,” Trump said.

Trump was also critical of Crozier for writing a letter, which pleaded for help for those on the ship with the coronavirus.

"I thought it was terrible what he did — to write a letter? This isn't a class on literature," Trump said.

coronavirus infects relieved US Navy Captain Brett Crozier
coronavirus infects relieved US Navy Captain Brett Crozier U.S. Navy / Wikimedia Commons
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