(NPR) Defense Secretary Says He'll Support Removing Sexual Offense Cases From Commanders

Defense Secretary Says He'll Support Removing Sexual Offense Cases From Commanders



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Defense Secretary Says He'll Support Removing Sexual Offense Cases From Commanders







Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin appears at a Senate hearing earlier this month. On Tuesday, he said he will support long-debated changes to the military justice system that would remove decisions on prosecuting sexual assault cases from military commanders.



Andrew Harnik/AP


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Andrew Harnik/AP











Defense Secretary Says He'll Support Removing Sexual Offense Cases From Commanders






Lloyd Austin endorses removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command — a shift that runs against the Pentagon's position.