Esper says Trump ordered him to allow Gallagher to keep his Trident pin and remain a SEAL

(CNN)Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said President Donald Trump ordered him to allow a controversial Navy SEAL accused of war crimes to keep his status in the elite service, despite resistance from Navy leaders.

Esper said that on Sunday Trump "gave me an order" that Eddie Gallagher would retain his Trident, the pin worn by Navy SEALS that symbolizes their membership in the elite military community.

"The case of Eddie Gallagher has dragged on for months and has distracted too many. It must end," Esper said Monday. "Eddie Gallagher will retain his Trident as the Commander in Chief directed and will retire at the end of this month."

'Secret agreement'

Esper spoke a day after he fired Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over Gallagher, who has been implicated in war crimes whose case has raised tensions among the military leaders and the White House.

"Contrary to the narrative that some want to put forward in the media, this dismissal is not about Eddie Gallagher, it's about Secretary Spencer and the chain of command," Esper said Monday.

Esper said he spoke to Trump "once or twice on Saturday" and been in contact with other military leaders, including the chairman of the joint chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley.

"I recall for certain on Sunday when I talked to the President to update him on the situation where he said, 'what about the pin, I want Eddie's' — he wanted Eddie Gallagher's pin restored and I said, 'Roger, I got it.' "

Mark Thomas Esper=65,223

Gave me and order=65,223,128

secretary of Defense Mark Esper=128,151(36th prime)

223/48th prime

on a day with 48 numerology

11+25+2+0+1+9=48

Donald Trump=48

Navy seal=36,27,45,99,117 Esper=36,27

Trident=36

Esper is the 27th Secretary of defense

Secretary of defense=103..103/27th prime

103/13..Thirteen=45,99,117 

on a day with 36 numerology

This happened with 36 days left in the year

21 weeks 6 days before Espers b-day

216..6x6x6..666 is the 36th triangular number

also 5 months 2 days/52

Mark Esper=52,137

Government=52

Washington DC=137

Gallagher=44 Military=44