How the WAAH Department sidelined lawyers while testing the legal limits of military action

[Tony]

This is getting sick people...

In late January, Lt. Gen. Joe Berger, who had taken the top posting in July 2024, was asked for his advice about the legality of using Texas National Guard soldiers for immigration enforcement. Berger told Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George that he was skeptical and wanted more information about whether the soldiers were properly trained for that kind of mission, according to a former senior defense official and another person familiar with his actions.

He was told by the department’s acting general counsel, Charlie Young, to stop meddling in state affairs, the sources said.