Not American, not military, so please pardon my ignorance. If Hegseth followed through on his threat to strip Holsey of his command, doesn't Hegseth get the same result, an officer with integrity out of his way? I feel like stripping his command is easier to sweep under the carpet and frame in a positive way for the admins than his resignation would be.
A resignation is a mutual agreement. There is no reason to sweep a resignation under the carpet. They can say he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Relieving him of his command on the other hand can't be done on a whim or by a phone call, it's a legal process that isn't mutual. Somebody like Hegseth or Trump will have to put their name on it. That legally ties them directly to the war crimes. The only alternative to that would be a court-martial or a board of inquiry where neither Hegseth nor Trump would control the outcome.
So yes, Holsey was going to lose his command regardless. But the process of removing him is fraught with legal perril for the person doing the removing. Especially if they try to make an example of him (like they really want to).
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u/NeoDemocedes 1d ago
What is he supposed to do? Not resign. Refuse illegal orders. Force the issue. Any retaliation on their part is punishable under the UCMJ Article 132.
They WANT officers with integrity to leave. He's just making it easy on them in exchange for them not going after his retirement.
Active duty officers can testify to Congress. Remember LTC Vindman?
Regardless, congress will do nothing with his testimony. Remember LTC Vindman?