Navy Recommends Reinstating Carrier Captain in Virus Episode; Esper Holds Off on Decision

Officials say the Navy is recommending reinstatement of the aircraft carrier captain fired for a controversial coronavirus email.

But Defense Secretary Mark Esper told the Navy Friday that he couldn't sign off on reinstatement yet, and needed more time; he indicated he still had questions about the inquiry into the case, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The news came after Adm. Mike Gilday, the U.S. chief of naval operations, met for nearly two hours with Esper on Friday to discuss the findings of the Navy investigation into the episode, omvp;vomg the largest coronavirus outbreak to strike the military. 

Last week, Esper said on NBC’S “Today" that it is still a possibility Navy Capt. Brett Crozier could return to his post.

The captain was relieved of his duties of the USS Theodore Roosevelt after he raised concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. Ultimately, every member of his crew was tested and as of yesterday some 800 were found to have been infected.

Crozier lost his job on April 2 after he penned a letter to Navy leadership sharing his concerns about the spread of the virus on the aircraft carrier, which was leaked to the media. He was lambasted by superiors for violating the chain of command with his email. But crew members supported his efforts to call attention to the spread of the potentially lethal coronavirus on the ship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.