The media cheered when Obama pardoned drug dealers. It cheered just as loudly when American soldiers went on trial for fighting Islamic terrorism.
President Trump’s pardon of Lt. Michael Behenna is justice long overdue.
Lt. Behenna, an Army Ranger, had his career and his life destroyed for shooting an Al Qaeda terrorist who had played a role in the murder of members of his platoon after the terrorist had thrown a chunk of concrete at him. The military covered up exculpatory evidence and made an example out of him.
On March 20th, 2009, Army Ranger 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing Ali Mansur, a known Al Qaeda operative, while serving in Iraq. Mansur was known to be a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in the lieutenant’s area of operation, and Army intelligence believed he organized an attack on Lt. Behenna’s platoon in April 2008 which killed two U.S. soldiers and injured two more. Army intelligence ordered the release of Mansur, and Lt. Behenna was ordered to return the terrorist to his home.
During the return of Mansur, Lt. Behenna again questioned the Al Qaeda member for information about other members of the terrorist cell, and financial supporters. During this interrogation, Mansur attacked Lt. Behenna, who killed the terrorist in self-defense. The government subsequently prosecuted Lt. Behenna for premeditated murder.
The lynching of Lt. Behenna sent a message to our troops. So does his pardon.
What happened to an Army Ranger sums up exactly why we’ve been losing. Our soldiers have been prevented from fighting. A political establishment within the military puts Islamic terrorists ahead of our men.
Later that Friday night a military panel of seven officers, none of whom had combat experience, convicted LT Behenna of unpremeditated murder and assault.
This is not what America is meant to be.
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