The U.S. military has denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday stating “Similar, baseless allegations concerning” mediocrity “have been made more than once by President Donald Trump.
Retired Major Mathew Golsteyn sought the recovery of his Silver Star medal and special forces after his presidential pardon. Restoring his page would be called his service as a member of the elite Army Special Forces, popularly known as the Green Berets.
The military came to its decision last year, but only announced it at the end of the Trump presidency, USA Today reported.
Golsteyn is charged with the murder of an Afghan citizen in Marjah who he said was a bomb maker for the Taliban. His case became prominent after Mr. Trump said during his presidency that he would review the official’s case. He was subsequently pardoned on 15 November 2019.
Since his remission, the retired army officer has restored his tab and medal, but the military has repeatedly refused his request and subsequent appeal.
A presidential pardon is a sign of forgiveness and does not indicate innocence, ‘the judging panel wrote in its rejection letter.
Golsteyn reacted to his reaction to the army’s decision USA Today that the military is denying the president’s order to clear his records, by denying military honor.
“It is clear that we have seen military departments obey the commander – in – chief’s mandate in other cases, and that the military has inexplicably challenged the president,” he said. “It should come as no surprise that the findings of the Army Council were announced in November 2020 and were not mailed to me for another two months after President Trump left office so that my case could disappear into the swamp of the presidential transition. “
The retired army major has publicly admitted to killing the suspected Taliban bomb maker in media interviews, but said it took place during a legal ambush. He said he burned the body to prevent the spread of disease.
Golsteyn was not investigated by the military until he revealed the murder during a 2011 polygraph test with the CIA, which considered him for a job. Three years later, in 2014, army officials revoked his special forces and bravery award and reprimanded him. He was officially charged with murder in 2018.