Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the temporary deployment of up to 600 military lawyers to assist the Department of Justice by serving as immigration judges. According to an August 27 memo obtained by the Associated Press, the plan involves sending groups of 150 attorneys at a time, both military and civilian, with the first group to be selected and deployed imminently.
This decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader use of military resources in its immigration crackdown. The military is already involved in various roles, including patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border, supporting immigration enforcement in cities, and using bases and aircraft for deportation operations. The deployment of lawyers aims to alleviate pressure on an immigration court system overwhelmed by a backlog of around 3.5 million cases.
The Justice Department made the formal request for help from the Pentagon. The memo notes that military attorneys may serve for up to 179 days, with the possibility of extension. However, this move has drawn significant criticism from immigration advocates and legal experts concerned about due process and legal qualifications.
Over 100 immigration judges have recently left their positions due to dismissals or resignations. With only about 600 judges remaining, the deployment would effectively double the current workforce. Critics argue that using military lawyers with little to no immigration law experience could lead to unfair rulings and undermine the judicial process.
Ben Johnson, head of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, criticized the move, comparing it to assigning a cardiologist to perform orthopedic surgery. Former supervising judge Jennifer Peyton also questioned whether military attorneys could handle the heavy caseloads and complex legal issues typical of immigration courts.
There are also legal concerns regarding the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Officials have not clarified how this large-scale reassignment might impact the military justice system or where the attorneys would be sourced from.
Lizzy Musi, a race car driver who starred in the Discovery Channel's "Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings," has died a little more than a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. She was 33.
Musi passed away June 27 at her North Carolina home with her family by her side, her father, fellow street racer Pat Musi, announced on Facebook.
"Surrounded by her Family, in the comfort of her own home, Lizzy was called to heaven at 11:25pm tonight. Thank you for all the prayers and support throughout her battle," he wrote.
Lizzy Musi revealed news of her cancer diagnosis on Instagram in April 2023.
"Hey Everyone, I haven’t been able to have much time to post due to an unexpected life change. A few days ago I have been Diagnosed with Triple Negative Stage 4 Breast Cancer that has moved to my lymph nodes to my liver," she wrote.
“I have a rough journey ahead of me. I appreciate everyone’s messages and calls,” she added.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of invasive breast cancer that tends to grow and spread faster throughout the body, according to the American Cancer Society. There are also fewer treatments available, so patients tend to have worse outlooks.
About 10-15% of breast cancers are triple negative. Its signs and symptoms are similar to other types of breast cancer, such swelling in the breasts; changes to skin on the breast, including dimpling, redness, dryness, flaking or thickening; nipple discharge; pain in the breast or nipple; and swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone.
Musi shared updates about her diagnosis on social media prior to her death. In June 2023, she posted a photo on Instagram that showed her with a shaved head, explaining in her caption that she decided to shave her head because of “extreme hair loss.”
“Well here is the new me ... some days are tough to look in the mirror but there are days where I feel stronger than ever,” she wrote.
In April 2024, Musi opened up in a Facebook video about how her diagnosis had changed her. The video showed her receiving various treatments at a hospital.
“I am so very thankful to what this journey has actually taught me. I now know I have a purpose in life. I am grateful to keep going,” she told fans.
The longtime street racer, who also appeared on the "Street Outlaws" spin-offs "Locals Only," "Gone Girl" and "Fastest in America," made history in 2014 when she became the first woman to win a Pro Nitrous national event at the Professional Drag Racers Association U.S. Drags, according to her official website.
In 2023, she became the first female driver to win an event on "Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings"
Musi's final post on Instagram featured a photo of red roses inside a hospital room. She tagged her location as Medias Klinikum Burghausen, a cancer treatment facility in Germany.
"Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers Mikey!!" she captioned the shot. "Made my morning on top of great news this morning!!"
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