Biden Blasts Removal of USS Roosevelt's Capt. Crozier As 'Close To Criminal'

U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), addresses the crew during an all-hands call on the ship's flight deck while conducting routine operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2019.(U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Huynh via AP

By Cathy Burke | Sunday, 05 April 2020 10:37 AM EDT ET

Frontrunner Democratic presidential primary candidate Joe Biden on Sunday blasted the removal of a Navy captain who sounded an alarm about a coronavirus outbreak on the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.

In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Biden commended Navy Capt. Brett Crozier for writing a leaked letter to the White House and Navy officials that demanded relief after more than 100 people tested positive for the virus.

“I think it’s close to criminal the way they’re dealing with this guy,” Biden said.

“I think he should have a commendation rather than be fired.”

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the commander exercised poor judgment, and that “it raised alarm bells unnecessarily.”

Hundreds of sailors cheered the departing captain when he left the vessel on Friday, hailing him as “one of the greatest.”