Navy recommends reinstating commander of USS Theodore Roosevelt

By Ryan Browne and Barbara Starr, CNN
Updated 2218 GMT (0618 HKT) April 24, 2020

Washington (CNN) — The Navy recommended to Defense Secretary Mark Esper that Capt. Brett Crozier be restored to command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier on Friday, according to an administration official.

Esper was not prepared to immediately accept the recommendation from Admiral Michael Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations after being briefed on the investigation into the circumstances around Crozier's removal, telling top Navy officials he wanted more time to review their recommendations, two defense officials told CNN.

The defense officials told CNN that the Navy intended to announce its recommendation at a press conference Friday afternoon but it was canceled after Esper did not immediately endorse it.

They added that the expectation had been Esper would accept the recommendation.

The New York Times was first to report the decision.

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