Chief Petty Officer Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL, was convicted of posing for photographs with a dead Islamic State fighter. But he was simultaneously acquitted of murder. Gallagher was demoted as a consequence before President Trump rescinded that order and allowed him to retain his rank.

Next, the Navy organized a review board to seek Gallagher’s removal from the elite SEAL special operations community. Gallagher may not have been a murderer, but multiple allegations about his poor discipline had caused Navy commanders to lose trust in his ability to continue as a team member. Trump, in contrast, appeared committed to allowing Gallagher to resume his duties without further consequence.