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Pentagon Chief Advocates Lethal Force, Fires Military Lawyers

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon chief, advocates a more lethal approach to combat.
He supports deploying forces domestically.
He criticizes military lawyers for restrictive rules of engagement.
He fires top military lawyers.
This alignment with the hardline policies of U.S. President Donald Trump suggests a willingness to use military force against American citizens, raising alarms about civil-military relations.

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Story summary

Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon chief, advocates a more lethal approach to combat.
He supports deploying forces domestically.
He criticizes military lawyers for restrictive rules of engagement.
He fires top military lawyers.
This alignment with the hardline policies of U.S. President Donald Trump suggests a willingness to use military force against American citizens, raising alarms about civil-military relations.