Washington, D.C. On Friday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order transferring authority over prosecuting major military crimes, including sexual assault, from the victims’ commanders to independent military attorneys.
The directive effectively puts into effect legislation that Congress approved in 2022, intending to enhance protections for service members, who were frequently dependent on their commanders to take sexual assault accusations seriously.
Congressmen argued with defense officials over the matter for several years because they were fed up with the rise in sexual assaults in the military. They maintained that introducing independent attorneys would strengthen prosecutions, and commanders were occasionally prepared to disregard allegations or incidences in their units to defend those suspected of crimes. Military leaders objected, claiming that it may reduce the power of commanders.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York fought for roughly ten years in vain to enact the laws that enshrined Biden’s order’s reforms to the way the military handles sexual assaults.
“While it will take time to see the results of these changes, these measures will instill more trust, professionalism, and confidence in the system,” Gillibrand stated.
The modification was one of more than two dozen recommendations made in 2021 by a commission set up by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to conduct an independent study of sexual assault in the military. It was also part of the previous year’s yearly defense bill. But formal presidential authorization was required because it calls for revising the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Senior Biden administration officials said it was the most comprehensive reform to the military legal code since it was established in 1950 in a call with reporters to preview the order.
“While it will take time to see the results of these changes, these measures will instill more trust, professionalism, and confidence in the system,” Gillibrand stated.
The modification was one of more than two dozen recommendations made in 2021 by a commission set up by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to conduct an independent study of sexual assault in the military. It was also part of the previous year’s yearly defense bill. But formal presidential authorization was required because it calls for revising the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Senior Biden administration officials said it was the most comprehensive reform to the military legal code since it was established in 1950 in a call with reporters to preview the order.
