- Navy JAG officer’s online threats against federal agents exposed amid Pentagon tensions.
- Anonymous X account belongs to active-duty Navy lawyer behind attacks on ICE and January 6 investigators.
- Military chain of command notified as career official’s “Stage 5 Derangement” sparks concern over loyalty and ethics.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemns “unacceptable” behavior amid rising national security crackdown.
- Incident reflects broader fractures in military over handling of Biden-era leftist agendas and current political alignments.
A U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, identified as Benjamin France, has been exposed for posting violent threats toward federal law enforcement agents on an anonymous social media account, sparking condemnation from Pentagon officials and renewed scrutiny of loyalty and ethics within military ranks. The episode, which saw France targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and January 6th defendants, underscores escalating tensions between the Trump administration and dissident elements within the military and intelligence apparatus.
France, a lawyer serving in the Navy’s legal corps, used a pseudonymous X account to accuse federal agents of “subverting the law” and pledged to “hunt down every J6 and ICE agent,” according to leaked posts. A user sleuthing online platforms cross-referenced France’s inflammatory rhetoric with his openly documented career path, including LinkedIn posts celebrating his 2024 JAG Corps recruitment — ostensibly to “follow in his father’s footsteps” in public service. After his identity was publicly outed, France reportedly deactivated his account and fled into virtual obscurity.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth swiftly denounced the outburst, stating in an X thread Tuesday: “Under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and federal property will NOT be tolerated.” The Pentagon’s response highlighted fears that such actions threaten the stability of an already strained military judiciary and broader national security priorities.
The exposed threat: Navy JAG officer’s violent online outburst
France’s case began as a heated exchange on X last week, where he targeted critics of his anti-Trump vitriol. One thread, amplified widely by conservative media, contained France’s now-deleted posts:
“I will personally hunt down every J6 and ICE agent who’s crossing state lines to destroy Biden’s America,” France allegedly typed, alongside a graphic mocking law enforcement.
The threats drew immediate scrutiny, particularly after users noted France’s LinkedIn profile, which detailed his 2024 swearing-in with the JAG Corps — a role requiring strict adherence to military and constitutional law.
“This isn’t about free speech. Threats toward uniformed agents violate every tenet of his oath,” one Pentagon whistleblower told this reporter.
France later faced backlash after a follower linked his X posts to his LinkedIn, triggering a public firestorm. Naval investigators are now reviewing possible disciplinary actions against him, including court-martial eligibility.
A federal response: Pentagon denounces anti-agent rhetoric as Hegseth warns of consequences
Secretary Hegseth, a former football star turned national security advocate, amplified the incident as an attack on institutional norms.
“If a Navy JAG officer — sworn to support the laws of the United States — can’t restrain himself, what hope is there for the rest of us?” Hegseth stated in a Tuesday night post.
The backlash stemmed not just from France’s remarks but his perceived role as a legal insider. JAG officers often advise commanders on operational and legal matters, including border policy and military ethics.
“This is more than one bad actor. It’s a warning that radicals are seeping into the military’s judicial structure,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), echoing concerns that France’s extremism reflects broader left-wing infiltration.
The Pentagon confirmed that France’s commanding officers were notified Monday, and a military police probe is underway.
Echoes of a wider conflict: “Stage 5 Derangement” and the military’s ethical dilemmas
France’s ordeal is part of a larger national debate over “Stage 5 Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term veterans groups use to describe a perceived collapse in institutional loyalty among career military personnel toward the current administration.
“These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re organized disruptions from opponents who’ve lost faith in the system,” remarked retired Marine General James Mattis, referencing prior exposures of leftist agitators in Pentagon staffing decisions.
Analysts argue the case mirrors broader societal polarization. Trump allies assert that France’s criticism of border agents who enforce Trump policies reflects ideological refusal to serve under the president’s agenda.
“The more you provide for the border, the more they resist,” said White House Press Secretary Don Jr., in a Tuesday briefing.
Historians note parallels to Cold War-era dissent movements but stress that modern digital platforms amplify risks of insubordination.
When derangement sabotages national security
Benjamin France’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale in an era where civil-military relations hang by a thread. His career gamble — a high-stakes online rant — ended in professional ruin, but the political stakes loom larger.
As the Pentagon braces for November elections, the JAG Corps incident adds momentum to calls for loyalty screenings amid rumors of “Leftist sleeper cells” across the military hierarchy.
The episode also reignites debates over anonymity online. While France’s anonymity failed to protect him, Pentagon officials warn that some active-duty personnel still lack a nuanced understanding of modern digital forensics.
With France’s case pending, the nation watches not just a military trial but a test of President Trump’s vision for a revitalized national security apparatus — one that its critics plainly disdain.
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