releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112055/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12041
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112055/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12041 | McCaskill Calls for Removal of Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin from Command | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON - Former sex crimes prosecutor and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today called on the Air Force to immediately remove Lt. General Craig Franklin from his command following reports that he had been removed from a sexual assault case. "It is clear that Lt. General Franklin should not be allowed to fulfill the responsibilities of military command because he has repeatedly shown he lacks sound judgment and respect for the responsibilities held by military commanders to protect those under their authority," said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The Air Force's decision to remove him from his role in a sexual assault case within his command is a clear signal that he lacks the confidence of Air Force leadership and that he lacks the basic professional judgment needed to serve as a Commander." It has been reported that Franklin recently recommended against taking a sexual assault case within his command to trial. The investigating officer, an attorney outside the chain of command, had also recommended against trial. Under a proposal being supported by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, this case would be over, as under the proposal, there would be no opportunity for the commander to overrule such a decision and no check on the command. This case would never come before a commander for consideration-once military legal authorities determine a case should not proceed to trial, no trial could be ordered, denying a day in court for the victim. McCaskill has opposed that proposal, because it removes accountability from commanders in sexual assault cases, increases the likelihood that victims will be retaliated against for reporting sexual assaults, and decreases the likelihood that perpetrators will be brought to trial. Earlier this year, in response to Franklin's handling of a sexual assault case at Aviano Air Base in Italy, McCaskill grilled military leaders in several Senate hearings and introduced legislation that would curtail the authority of military commanders to dismiss jury convictions against sex offenders. Franklin is scheduled to retire in the near future. Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |