Military Sexual Assault Shouldn't Be Minimized Or Dismissed, Biden Says
July 3, 2021, 4:49 am

Military Sexual Assault Shouldn't Be Minimized Or Dismissed, Biden Says

According to CNBC, president Joe Biden on Friday said he “strongly” supports Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision to press Congress to remove the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases in the military from the armed forces’ chain of command. Military

Biden said in a statement released by the White House, “We need concrete actions that fundamentally change the way we handle military sexual assault and that make it clear that these crimes will not be minimized or dismissed.”

Austin on Friday said he has accepted core recommendations made by the Independent Review Commission on Military Sexual Assault.

CNBC reported that the Pentagon chief said he was directing the Defense Department to work with Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to remove the prosecution of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and retaliation from the military chain of command.

Austin also said the department will seek to have sexual harassment added as an offense to the UCMJ.

And the department will seek the creation of dedicated offices within the secretariat of each military department to handle prosecutions of the crimes, “with appropriate legal oversight and guidance” from the office of the Defense secretary.

The directive is less broad than a bill being pushed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., which would have independent military prosecutors — not military commanders — handle all felonies involving the military, not just crimes involving sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.

Austin, in his directive, said, “Our most critical asset as a Department is our people, and our people and readiness are inextricably linked.”

“We will remain the preeminent fighting force in the world because we strive to better take care of our people,” Austin said. “Our values and expectations remain at the core of addressing this problem and I have every confidence that our Force will get this right.” Military

levant

Source: CNBC

Image source: Getty Images-CNBC

Myanmar Protesters Burn Junta Leader's Images On His Birthday As UK Heads To End Pandemic Restrictions, Doctors Say Some Prevention Measures Should Remain

Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.