Acting Navy Secretary apologizes after criticizing ousted Captain

The Acting Secretary of the Navy apologized on Monday evening after a transcript and recording of his remarks to the crew of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt became public, acknowledging that he should not have called the ousted Captain 'too naive and too stupid' to be in command of the aircraft carrier.

"I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naive nor stupid," read a statement from Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly, who just hours earlier had said he stood by his remarks aboard the carrier.

In that speech, Modly blasted Crozier for sending a plea for help about Coronavirus cases on board the ship to too many people, resulting in it being leaked to the press.

"It's now become a big controversy in Washington, D.C.," Modly told sailors in a speech broadcast over the ship's speakers, which was recorded, and then leaked to the military affairs website Task and Purpose.

In that speech, the Acting Navy Secretary said Crozier was "too naive or too stupid to be the commanding officer of a ship like this," prompting one of those listening to respond with an expletive.

Crozier, who left the vessel in Guam to loud cheers and chants of his name on Friday, has reportedly tested positive for the Coronavirus.

The statement issued by the Navy came not long after President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he may get involved in the fracas.