'My blood boiled': Congressman defends Navy officer who returned fire in Chattanooga attack

The Navy Times reports today that, “despite the claim of a conservative commentator” — (spoiler: Allen West) — the Navy commanding officer who used his personal firearm to return fire at Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez during an attack on the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., has not been charged with illegally discharging a firearm on federal property.

The possibility has not been ruled out, but the Navy Times seems to think charges against Lt. Cmdr. Tim White are unlikely.

While officials are not ruling out charges, multiple Navy sources said it was highly unlikely that White would be charged or reprimanded, which would likely trigger a public backlash and create the possibility of a highly charged court-martial.

…

A source with knowledge of White’s thinking said he brought the gun to work because he was worried about the command’s safety after recent threats from the Islamic State militant group to attack U.S. troops at home.

UPDATE: Chattanooga CO brought gun to work fearful of ISIS threats: source http://t.co/Ufwv9NH7Ay | By @DavidLarter pic.twitter.com/tmAmVp37W0

— Andrew deGrandpre (@adegrandpre) August 5, 2015

@adegrandpre @NavyTimes @DavidLarter "fearful?" How about "worried," instead. Doubt he was fearful.

— Robert G Evans (@drawncutlass) August 5, 2015

@drawncutlass @adegrandpre @NavyTimes @DavidLarter agreed

— Dennis Ouellette (@shlomoavraham) August 5, 2015

White has a defender in Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who applauded him for his bravery.

When I heard reports the Navy would for a second consider charging LCDR White for protecting his fellow service members, my blood boiled.

— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) August 5, 2015

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Lt. Cmdr. White, an American patriot, should be applauded – not shamed and reprimanded for his heroic actions. http://t.co/8cearRe1H6

— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) August 5, 2015

A PDF of the letter sent to President Obama can be found on Hudson’s website.

Hudson has recently joined Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) to introduce the SEMPER FI Act, a bill that would empower eligible service members to protect themselves at military recruitment facilities.

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Related:

Jim Webb says Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White will face charges for ‘illegally discharging a firearm’ during Chattanooga attack; Update: Navy denies