Defense Secretary Says He’s Replacing Top Military Lawyers Due to Misalignment

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....