The Pentagon is working to surge dozens of military lawyers to Minneapolis to assist in federal prosecutions amid an immigration enforcement crackdown there, according to two officials familiar with the matter and a written request that has circulated inside the Defense Department.
The emailed request, reviewed by CNN, says that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the military services to identify 40 judge advocate general officers, from which 25 will be selected to serve as special assistant United States attorneys in Minneapolis.
“Ideally have significant experience in criminal prosecution, civil litigation, administrative law, immigration law, general litigation, or other related fields,” the request says.
Around 1,000 additional US Customs and Border Protection agents are expected to deploy to Minneapolis soon, as tensions between federal and local law enforcement have flared after the fatal, ICE-involved shooting last week of mother of three Renee Nicole Good sparked protests nationwide.
One of the officials and another person familiar with the JAG Corps told CNN that 25 JAGs is a huge number to send to one city. But it’s increasingly being done in cities the Trump administration is targeting with increased federal crackdowns on crime and immigration.
Asked for comment, a Pentagon official told CNN that the department “is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement and Department of Justice partners,” adding that the military lawyers are assigned to assist the US attorney’s office in “their prosecutorial mission.”
“As (Special Assistant US Attorneys), Department JAGs regularly provide crucial legal support nationwide and bring their unique skills and dedication of our America’s service members supporting our interagency partners as they deliver justice, restore order, and protect the American people.”
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