A war-crimes investigation pitted the commander in chief against

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An unusual battle has broken out between President Trump and top military commanders over the future of a member of the Navy SEAL commando.

Today, how a high-profile war-crimes investigation has prompted a war of words from the commander in chief — rocking the highest levels of the military.

On today’s episode:

  • Dave Philipps, a national correspondent covering veterans and the military for The New York Times.

Image

Credit...John Gastaldo/Reuters

Background reading:

  • Why Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher was investigated for war crimes, and why his fellow SEAL members broke the group’s code of silence to testify against him.

  • Order within his ranks was a “deadly serious business.” Now, Richard V. Spencer, the secretary of the Navy, has resigned after clashing with the president over Chief Gallagher’s demotion.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Follow Michael Barbaro on Twitter: @mikiebarb. And if you’re interested in advertising with “The Daily,” write to us at thedaily-ads@nytimes.com.

Dave Philipps contributed reporting.

“The Daily” is made by Theo Balcomb, Andy Mills, Lisa Tobin, Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Annie Brown, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Larissa Anderson, Wendy Dorr, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Alexandra Leigh Young, Jonathan Wolfe, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, Adizah Eghan, Kelly Prime, Julia Longoria, Sindhu Gnanasambandan, Jazmín Aguilera, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Austin Mitchell, Sayre Quevedo, Monika Evstatieva and Neena Pathak. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Mikayla Bouchard, Stella Tan, Julia Simon and Lauren Jackson.