Former Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher said he has no regrets about his nearly two-decade career in the military and would do it all again, if given the chance.
A jury of seven servicemen found Gallagher not guilty of alleged war crimes Tuesday. Gallagher stood accused of stabbing an injured ISIS fighter and shooting indiscriminately at several civilians while deployed to Iraq in 2017.
Gallagher appeared Wednesday on Fox News with his wife and his attorney for his first interview since the conclusion of the case. Fox host Pete Hegseth asked Gallagher if, after being subjected to the monthslong trial and scrutiny from national media, he would “do it all over again.”
“I would, Pete,” Gallagher said. “I wouldn’t give back the 20 years that I have done. I’ve been able to serve with some of the most honorable men. I’ve had to watch my friends be buried in the ground. No, I wouldn’t give back my past 20 years for anything and I would do it again. I would continue to do it if I could.”
The jury did convict Gallagher of one charge related to taking a photo with a dead ISIS fighter, the teenager he was accused of murdering. As a consequence, he was demoted in rank and his pay was reduced.
Gallagher ended the interview telling future Navy SEALs to remember to be loyal in a message that seemed directed at the SEALs who testified against Gallagher during his trial.
“I would say to future Navy SEALs, you know, loyalty is a trait that seems to be lost, and I would say bring that back,” Gallagher said. “You are part of a brotherhood, you know. You are there to watch your brother’s back. He’s there to watch your back. Just stay loyal.”
Related coverage:
- Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher cried ‘tears of joy, elation, freedom, absolute euphoria’ on being acquitted of war crimes
- Trump: ‘Glad I could help’ after Navy SEAL Gallagher found not guilty of war crimes
