Trump's tweet, not a formal order to stop review of Edward Gallagher: US Navy secretary

United States Navy secretary said he does not consider a twitter post of President Donald Trump as a formal order to resist a review of a sailor who could lose his dignity as a fellow of its elite SEAL commando unit.

The United States President Donald Trump in his tweet on Thursday suggested that the Navy should get back to business instead of convening a board to determine whether Navy Special Warfare Operator Edward Gallagher-who had been accused of war crimes but was found guilty only of a lesser offence-should retain his qualification as Navy SEAL.

Gallagher is accused in the stabbing death of a wounded captive fighter of Levant armed group in Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq in 2017, attempter murder of other civilians and obstruction of justice.

Giving the reference of Trump's tweet, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said on Saturday, "I don't interpret a tweet as a formal order."

"I need a formal order to act", said he.

On Wednesday Navy had notified Gallagher that he would face a review early next month to conclude if he should remain on the elite force.