Elizabeth Warren Questions DOD Lawyer on National Guard Deployment Legality

National Guard Deployment Costs and Purpose

• 💰 The National Guard was deployed onto American streets six months prior, with the Department of Defense footing a bill exceeding $2 billion for support to DHS and Immigration Enforcement.
• ⚠️ This funding, intended for military training facilities and barracks, was reportedly diverted to tasks like picking up trash and managing civilian protesters.

Concerns Over Legal Counsel and JAG Sidelining

• ⚖️ Senator Warren questioned Charles L. Young III, Principal Deputy General Counsel at DoD, regarding statements allegedly made about National Guard deployments.
• 🗣️ A key point of contention was whether a JAG attorney who raised concerns about the legality of military operations was told to "shut up and get out of the way."
• 🚫 Mr. Young denied making such a statement, clarifying that the officer in question was discussing the state's capacity to provide personnel in a state status, not a federal military status.
• 📌 The report suggests that the JAG officer who raised concerns was subsequently fired without explanation.

Broader Implications for Legal Advice

• 📉 Reports indicate other instances of JAG attorneys being overruled, including an objection to "extrajudicial killings" related to boat strikes near Venezuela.
• 😟 The discontinuation of military support to DHS by the first Trump administration was cited due to cost and troop morale issues.
• ✅ Senator Warren emphasized the importance of not sidelining JAG when they raise questions about legality, a sentiment Mr. Young seemed to affirm by stating his trust in JAGs' ability to communicate concerns to leadership.