Why does the military have a justice system distinct from the civilian justice system? And what are the implications of having separate forms of accountability?

Former Republican Congressman Tom Rooney joins TYFYS to give his take. Congressman Rooney represented Florida’s 16th and then 17th congressional districts from 2009 to 2019. During his time in government, he served on the Armed Services Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Committee on Agriculture. Before his political career, Rooney served in the US Army as a Judge Advocate, a military lawyer. He worked as a prosecutor at Fort Hood, Texas, and he later taught law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In this episode Congressman Rooney discusses his time in the Army and in Congress. In light of his background with military justice and his political experience, Rep. Rooney also gives his perspective on the President’s decision to pardon convicted or alleged war criminals.

This episode was recorded on the morning of November 20, 2019. The situation concerning Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher has developed since then.

“Thank You For Your Service” is a production of the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcasts and does not necessarily represent the official positions of the Department of Defense or the U.S. government.

Podcast Production Credit:

Thomas Krasnican, host
Nick Paraiso, host

Tom Lattanzio, producer
Bobby Maxwell, producer

Special thanks to Congressman Tom Rooney, Ashley Jorn, and the Institute of Politics.