Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a shake-up in military legal leadership on Monday, stating that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military branches. He expressed that they were not the right fit to offer guidance on lawful orders.
This change coincided with his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister. When asked about President Trump’s choice of a retired general for the next Joint Chiefs chairman, a choice that raised legal questions, Hegseth sidestepped the topic.
Last Friday, Trump dismissed Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the current chairman, in a surprising move. Following that, Hegseth also let go of Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Gen. James Slife. He is now looking for nominations for the Army, Navy, and Air Force’s judge advocate general (JAG) positions.
While he did not name the discharged lawyers, it’s worth noting that Vice Adm. Christopher French, the Navy JAG, had already retired two months prior, and replacements were being sought. The Army’s Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III and the Air Force’s Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer were also let go.
This round of firings has sparked concern within the Pentagon, contributing to a tense atmosphere as military personnel navigate their responsibilities amid uncertainty about job security. Some facets of the recent events have also led to confusion about expectations for federal employees under Musk’s directives.
Hegseth has justified the decision to remove Brown by suggesting that presidents traditionally reshuffle their teams. His remarks indicate that this change is viewed as normal, yet the situation is complicated due to the unusual nature of Trump’s choice for the upcoming chairman position. The selected general, Dan Caine, would need to return to active duty but lacks the required background, as he has not served as a combatant commander or service chief, though the president can waive these rules.
In the past, many top military leaders have been removed, but those dismissals typically come with clear explanations, such as differences over military strategies or public criticisms of the administration. Brown’s dismissal stands out, especially as he was the first Black general to serve in this top role.
Concerns are now rising among Pentagon employees about the motives underlying these firings. Hegseth has called for a military focused on merit, yet the criteria used to evaluate Franchetti, Slife, and the lawyers remain unclear. This leaves room for speculation about whether they were dismissed for political reasons or due to their race or gender.
Hegseth has indicated intentions to eliminate military leaders who promote diversity and equity, framing these efforts as detrimental to military readiness. This controversy continues to swirl around the military’s direction and leadership standards.
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Source linkPete Hegseth, Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Military and defense, General news, Washington news, CQ Brown Jr., Charles Plummer, Elon Musk, James Slife, Politics, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, U.S. Department of Defense
