General Hartmann gets a new job

Air Force Brigadier General Thomas W. Hartmann has been reassigned from his position as Legal Adviser to the Convening Authority for the Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions.

According to the Associated Press, Gen. Hartmann has been named to the newly created position of director of operations, planning and development for military commissions. Depending on the nature and extent of his involvement with future trials, the transfer for Hartmann -- who has been twice been ordered removed from post-trial participation in detainee cases and who was described variously by senior military officials involved in detainee matters as "abusive, bullying, and unprofessional," and a "cancer" -- may smooth the way for the prosecution of Gitmo detainees.

It is unclear, however, what part Gen. Hartmann will play in upcoming events at Guantanamo Bay, and defense counsel who were expected to give the general a starring role in various motions for relief may still have the opportunity to do so: according to the AP, Gen. Hartmann said he is proud of the way he has helped move the trials forward and intends to keep doing so in his new role.