Trump Deploys Military Lawyers in D.C. Cases
President Donald Trump has taken the unusual step of assigning military attorneys to civilian cases in Washington, D.C. In a move framed as part of his effort to tackle crime in the nation’s capital, Trump deploys military lawyers in D.C., assigning 20 members of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for D.C., confirmed the development, calling it “further proof of President Trump’s commitment to fighting and reducing crime in the district.” The new assignments mark a rare expansion of military lawyers into civilian courts, as JAG officers traditionally focus on representing the armed forces and service members.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. is unique in that it prosecutes both federal crimes and local cases before the D.C. Superior Court. With widespread firings, resignations, and increasing caseloads, the Justice Department has faced shortages, prompting the administration to bolster its workforce. NBC News first reported the detail.
Pirro has previously complained of staffing gaps, saying she lacked “90 prosecutors, 60 investigators and paralegals.” Trump officials have also purged prosecutors who worked on high-profile cases, including those related to the January 6 Capitol riot. The decision to bring in military attorneys underscores both the administration’s law-and-order stance and the pressure on the Department of Justice.
By deploying JAG lawyers, the administration signals that D.C. will remain a key battleground for its justice agenda. Critics, however, warn that Trump deploying military lawyers in D.C. blurs the traditional line between civilian and military justice, raising constitutional and legal concerns.
Ultimately, whether this initiative improves public safety—or deepens political tensions—remains to be seen. Still, the presence of military attorneys in civilian courts makes clear that Trump deploys military lawyers in D.C. as part of a wider effort to consolidate federal control over the capital’s justice system.
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