Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Military officers shifted to prosecute local D.C. crimes amid Trump takeover
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/military-officers-shifted-prosecute-local-dc-crimes-trump-takeover-rcna226158WASHINGTON — As members of the National Guard deploy to the nation's capital as part of the Trump administration's takeover of policing in Washington, members of the military are also set to take on prosecutorial roles handling civilian crimes.
Twenty members of the Defense Department are set to begin working as special assistant U.S. attorneys — federal prosecutors — in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia next week, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Tim Lauer, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, confirmed the move, saying members of the Judge Advocate General Corps would be joining the office, though he did not know how long the detail would last.
The Trump administration has overhauled the Justice Department since January, shifting federal law enforcement resources toward immigration-related offenses, overhauling the Civil Rights Division and targeting career law enforcement officials involved in cases disfavored by the administration, including the two criminal cases against Trump.
Twenty members of the Defense Department are set to begin working as special assistant U.S. attorneys — federal prosecutors — in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia next week, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Tim Lauer, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, confirmed the move, saying members of the Judge Advocate General Corps would be joining the office, though he did not know how long the detail would last.
The Trump administration has overhauled the Justice Department since January, shifting federal law enforcement resources toward immigration-related offenses, overhauling the Civil Rights Division and targeting career law enforcement officials involved in cases disfavored by the administration, including the two criminal cases against Trump.
In a 1983 opinion by Ted Olson(!), DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel concluded that assigning JAG lawyers to serve as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys violated a statute that bans military officers from exercising the duties of a civil office.
— Steve Vladeck (@stevevladeck.bsky.social) 2025-08-20T22:05:55.614Z
Then, Congress authorized it.
This is dumb—but legal.
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.