Breaking news out of D.C. where the White House just confirmed that President Trump pardoned Army 1st. Lt. Clint Lorance and Army Major Matthew Goldstein:
Confirmed now from @WhiteHouse: @POTUS has signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for @USArmy First Lt. Clint Lorance and Maj. Mathew Golsteyn.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 15, 2019
Lorance was actually in Leavenworth prison when he got the call:
From CBS' David Martin: According to his lawyer, pardon recipient Lt Clint Lorance, still serving time in Leavenworth, received notice of the pardon in phone calls from both @POTUS and @VP. Attorney says Lorance to be released as early as tonight.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 16, 2019
Details from Military Times:
Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, convicted of second degree murder in the death of three Afghans, was given a full pardon from president for the crimes. Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who faced murder charges next year for a similar crime, was also given a full pardon for those offenses.
He also restored Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher to the rank of E-7, Chief Petty Officer:
Also, @POTUS has signed n order directing the promotion of Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward Gallagher to the grade of E-7, the rank he held before he was tried and found not guilty of nearly all of the charges against him.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 15, 2019
Presidential pardons and/or promotion order issued to:
-Full pardon: Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance
-Full pardon: Army Major Mathew Golsteyn
-Order for promotion: Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward R. Gallagher to the grade of Chief Petty Officer.— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 15, 2019
All three had been accused of war crimes:
BREAKING-Pres Trump signed pardons for Army 1LT Clint Lorance & Army Maj Mathew Golsteyn & returned Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher to the rank of E-7. All three were accused of war crimes in Afghanistan & Lorance had been convicted. Gallagher was convicted on a lesser charge
— Mike Glenn (@mrglenn) November 15, 2019
Army 1LT Clint Lorance is FULLY PARDONED and will be out of prison TONIGHT.
Army Green Beret Matt Golsteyn is FULLY PARDONED and is free from Army harassment.
Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher gets his rank & record back.
All thanks to @realDonaldTrump.#AmericaFirst #WarriorsFirst https://t.co/2PzMOmtPOM
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 16, 2019
In a statement released by the White House, President Trump said “when our soldiers have to fight for our country, I want to give them the confidence to fight”:
Explanation from @WhiteHouse about the actions taken by @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/8GoHUhYp8t
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 15, 2019
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