Fact Check: In February 2023, the Trump administration fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the justification that they might be roadblocks to the president’s agenda.

Published June 14, 2025

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# Fact Check: "In February 2023, the Trump administration fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the justification that they mi...

Fact Check: "In February 2023, the Trump administration fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the justification that they might be roadblocks to the president’s agenda."

What We Know

In February 2023, the Trump administration did indeed fire the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This action was part of a broader strategy by the administration to reshape the legal landscape within the military and government. According to reports, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that these judge advocates general (JAGs) were seen as potential "roadblocks" to the president's directives (source-5). The fired officials included Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Berger and Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, with the Navy's position already vacant due to a prior retirement (source-4).

The administration's rationale for these dismissals was to eliminate perceived obstacles to Trump's agenda, which has raised significant concerns regarding the independence of military legal counsel and the implications for military justice (source-3). The move was characterized as part of a larger trend of purging legal officials who might challenge the administration's directives (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that the Trump administration fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force in February 2023, citing them as potential roadblocks, is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported on the administration's efforts to consolidate control over government lawyers, emphasizing that the dismissals were part of a strategy to reduce internal legal objections to presidential actions (source-2).

Furthermore, Secretary Hegseth's comments directly link the firings to the desire for more compliant legal counsel, which aligns with the claim made. His assertion that the fired JAGs were "not well suited" and could impede the administration's goals is a clear indication of the rationale behind these dismissals (source-5).

The reliability of the sources is strong, as they include reputable news organizations like Reuters and The New York Times, which have a history of thorough reporting and fact-checking. The context provided by these articles helps to clarify the motivations behind the firings and the implications for military legal practices.

Conclusion

The claim that the Trump administration fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force in February 2023, stating they might be roadblocks to the president's agenda, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that these actions were taken explicitly to facilitate the administration's directives without legal hindrance.

Sources

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