The following podcast contains advertising.

To access an ad-free version of the LawFair podcast,

become a material supporter of LawFair at patreon.com slash law fair.

That's patreon.com slash law fair.

Also, check out LawFair's other podcast offerings,

rational security, chatter, law fair no bull, and the aftermath.

That became in itself a political fight.

Because as soon as they made moves to do it, again,

Eddie Gallagher went on Fox News to spoke directly to the president

and said, like, you know, they essentially have sour grapes.

They lost and now they're trying to punish me anyway.

And it set up this showdown between the top brass of the Navy

and the president over a very, when it comes down to it,

low ranking and an unimportant guy.

But that showdown had huge political implications, right?

Because for centuries, there's been a delicate dance between

the civilian rule of the United States and its control over the military.

Of course, the military could take over any time it wanted.

They have the guns, but they never have.

And they've had this agreement where, hey,

we stay out of politics.

And we don't tell the president what to do.

...