House Republicans Block Amendment to Restrict Military Lawyers from Civilian Roles
House Republicans on the Armed Services Committee voted 31-26 to reject a Democratic amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would have ended the Trump administration’s practice of assigning military lawyers (JAGs) as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Jason Crow, argued JAGs are a limited resource needed for military duties. Chairman Mike Rogers defended the practice as a homeland security priority. Critics warn it may violate the Posse Comitatus Act.
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House Panel Rejects Bid to Restrict Military Lawyers to Military Duties
The House Armed Services Committee voted 31-26 to reject an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have restricted the use of military judge advocates (JAGs) to military-related duties. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), aimed to end the Trump administration's practice of assigning JAGs as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities. Republican lawmakers, led by Chairman Mike Rogers, defended the expanded use, arguing it supports homeland security priorities and provides valuable experience. Critics, including former JAGs, warn the practice may violate the Posse Comitatus Act and overburden military lawyers. The debate highlights a partisan split over the military's role in domestic law enforcement.
Government Executive - All ContentHouse Panel Rejects Bid to Restrict Military Lawyers to Military Duties
The House Armed Services Committee voted 31-26 to reject a Democratic amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would have ended the Trump administration's practice of assigning military judge advocates (JAGs) to serve as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., proposed the amendment, arguing that JAGs are a limited resource needed for core military missions like combat operations and military justice. Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., defended the expanded use, calling it a homeland security priority and valuable training. Critics, including former JAGs, warn the practice may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in law enforcement. The vote split along party lines, with Republicans supporting the administration's approach.
Government Executive - All ContentHouse Panel Rejects Bid to Restrict Military Lawyers to Military Duties
The House Armed Services Committee voted 31-26 to reject an amendment by Rep. Jason Crow that would have barred the use of military judge advocates (JAGs) for non-military roles such as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys. Republicans, led by Chairman Mike Rogers, defended the Trump administration's expanded use of JAGs for homeland security priorities, including prosecutions in Minneapolis and immigration court oversight. Democrats and former JAG officers argued the practice overworks limited legal resources and may violate the Posse Comitatus Act by involving the military in domestic law enforcement. The vote occurred during markup of the annual defense policy bill, with the Senate's position unclear.
Government Executive - All ContentHouse Republicans block amendment to limit JAG use in civilian roles
House Republicans voted down a Democratic amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have restricted the use of military lawyers (JAGs) to military-related duties. The Trump administration has deployed dozens of JAGs as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities, a practice critics say violates the Posse Comitatus Act and overworks military lawyers. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., argued JAGs are a limited resource needed for military operations. HASC Chairman Mike Rogers defended the administration's use of JAGs as essential for homeland security and national security priorities. The amendment failed 31-26. Military legal experts have raised concerns about the precedent and potential legal violations.
Defense One - All ContentHouse Republicans Block Amendment to Limit JAGs Serving in Civilian Roles
House Republicans voted down a Democratic amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have restricted the use of military lawyers (JAGs) to military-related duties. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Jason Crow, aimed to end the Trump administration's practice of assigning JAGs as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities. Republican leaders, including HASC Chairman Mike Rogers, defended the administration's use of JAGs for homeland security and national security priorities, arguing it provides valuable experience. Critics, including former JAGs, warned the practice could violate the Posse Comitatus Act and overwork military lawyers. The vote was 31-26 along party lines.
Defense One - All ContentHouse Republicans Block Amendment to Restrict Military Lawyers from Civilian Roles
House Republicans on the Armed Services Committee voted 31-26 to remove a provision from the annual defense policy bill that would have ended the Trump administration's practice of assigning military lawyers (JAGs) to serve as immigration judges and special U.S. attorneys in Democrat-run cities. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), aimed to clarify that JAGs should only be assigned to military-related duties, arguing they are a limited resource needed for combat operations and military justice. Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) defended the administration's use of JAGs as essential for homeland security and national security priorities. Critics, including former military lawyers, warn the practice may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in law enforcement. The vote occurred during the markup of the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
Defense One - All Content