Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has defended the Trump administration’s recent firings of top military legal officials, stating that leadership changes are necessary to remove those who act as “roadblocks” to decision-making.
During an interview on Fox News Sunday, host Shannon Bream questioned Hegseth about the late-night dismissals of top Judge Advocates General (JAGs). She referenced a post from Georgetown Law professor Rosa Brooks, who suggested the move was a warning sign. Brooks wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”
Hegseth dismissed Brooks’ concerns, stating, “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 block anything—anything that happens in their spots.”
Military Leadership Shakeup: ‘Time for Fresh Blood’
Hegseth elaborated on the administration’s rationale, saying that the military’s legal corps, known as TJAGS, has been self-selecting its leadership for too long. “A small group of insulated officers perpetuate the status quo,” he said. “Well, guess what? The status quo hasn’t worked very well at the Pentagon. It’s time for fresh blood.”
However, critics argue that the firings undermine the military’s ethical foundation. Retired Air Force prosecutor Don Christensen told CNN that military JAGs serve as the “conscience of the military and a moral guide as to what’s right and wrong.”
NYU historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on authoritarianism, also weighed in, warning on X that such moves “rearrange government for an accelerated transition from democracy to autocracy,” including changes to the military’s role both domestically and internationally.
Trump’s Crackdown on ‘Wokeism’ in the Military
The administration’s overhaul extends beyond military legal offices. Trump also fired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. CQ Brown Jr.—a Black officer who had supported the Black Lives Matter movement—replacing him with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan “Razin” Caine, a white officer.
Trump and Hegseth have frequently criticized “wokeism” in the military. In late January, Trump signed an executive order eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. The order also directed Hegseth to conduct a review of DEI-related policies and report any instances of race- or sex-based preferences.
Hegseth has long been outspoken against DEI initiatives. On The Right Take With Mark Tapson podcast, he stated, “Every time I hear a military leader say ‘diversity is our strength,’ I throw up in my mouth a little bit more.”
Speaking to Bream on Fox News Sunday, Hegseth doubled down on his stance, declaring that Brown was “not the right man for the moment.”
What’s Next for Military Leadership?
With these firings, the Trump administration is pushing for a dramatic shift in military leadership. Hegseth has already begun soliciting nominations for the JAG replacements, ensuring that new legal advisers align with the administration’s vision.
As debates over military readiness, legal oversight, and political influence continue, these moves signal a broader transformation in how the Pentagon will operate under Trump’s leadership.
