Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Defends Purge of Top Military Lawyers Under Trump Administration

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the Trump administration’s decision to remove top military lawyers, stating that they want individuals in those roles who do not serve as “roadblocks” to decision-making.

During an interview on Fox News Sunday, host Shannon Bream questioned Hegseth about the firings, which took place on Friday night. She referenced a statement from Georgetown Law professor Rosa Brooks, who criticized the move on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “In some ways, that’s even more chilling than firing the four stars. It’s what you do when you’re planning to break the law: you get rid of any lawyers who might try to slow you down.”

Dismissing the critique, Hegseth responded, “I don’t know who Rosa is or what her hyperbole is all about. Ultimately, we want lawyers who provide sound constitutional advice and don’t exist to act as roadblocks to anything happening in their positions.”

He further elaborated on the decision, stating, “These TJAGs—Judge Advocate Generals—have traditionally been selected by their peers, similar to how the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is chosen. It’s a small group of insulated officers maintaining the status quo. But guess what? The status quo hasn’t worked very well at the Pentagon. It’s time for fresh blood.”

Hegseth’s remarks reflect the administration’s stance that institutional changes were necessary within the military’s legal ranks. However, the firings have sparked concerns among legal and military experts about the implications for accountability and governance.