Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved to replace the judge advocate generals.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Feb. 24 that he’s replacing the top lawyers in the military because of concerns they would not present adequate advice.
“I want the best possible lawyers in each service to provide the best possible recommendations no matter what, to lawful orders that are given. And we didn’t think those particular positions were well-suited,” Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon in Washington as he met with Saudi Arabian officials.
President Donald Trump on Friday terminated Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s top-ranking military officer. That same day, Hegseth announced he was replacing the judge advocate generals (JAGs) for the military branches.
“Ultimately, we want lawyers who give sound constitutional advice and don’t exist to attempt to be roadblocks to anything,“ Hegseth said on ”Fox News Sunday” when asked to respond to critics.
When asked on Monday how the lawyers were presenting roadblocks, Hegseth said that he was referring to “roadblocks to an agenda” and “roadblocks to orders that are given by a commander in chief.”
He said he wanted the best possible lawyers to provide the best possible recommendations.
“We’re looking for the best. We’re opening it up to everybody to be able to be the top lawyer of those services,” he said.
The position of JAG requires confirmation from the Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans. JAGs give top military officials legal advice, among other responsibilities.
Rear Adm. Christopher French retired as the JAG of the U.S. Navy on Jan. 1. Rear Adm. Lia Reynolds has been serving as the Navy’s acting JAG.
Lt. Gen. Charles L. Plummer has been serving as the JAG of the U.S. Air Force since May 2022. Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III has been serving as JAG since mid-2024.
Hegseth said on Fox that JAGs and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have traditionally been chosen by other officers.
