The oath of enlistment is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any single person or commander, and this obligation supersedes the duty to obey superior orders.
Key Principles of the Law
The law is primarily outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and reinforced by international law principles established by precedents like the Nuremberg Trials, which made "just following orders" an invalid defense for war crimes. Duty to Obey Lawful Orders: Under UCMJ Articles 90 and 92, service members must obey all lawful orders from a superior officer. Failure to do so is a serious offense that can lead to court-martial, confinement, and a dishonorable discharge.
Duty to Disobey Unlawful Orders: An order is unlawful if it requires the commission of a crime, violates the Constitution, U.S. federal law, or applicable international law. Examples include orders to target civilians, torture detainees, or engage in unauthorized domestic law enforcement without proper authorization.
Personal Responsibility: Service members are held personally criminally liable for their actions, even if they were acting under orders, provided a moral choice was possible.
Key Principles of the Law
The law is primarily outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and reinforced by international law principles established by precedents like the Nuremberg Trials, which made "just following orders" an invalid defense for war crimes. Duty to Obey Lawful Orders: Under UCMJ Articles 90 and 92, service members must obey all lawful orders from a superior officer. Failure to do so is a serious offense that can lead to court-martial, confinement, and a dishonorable discharge.
Duty to Disobey Unlawful Orders: An order is unlawful if it requires the commission of a crime, violates the Constitution, U.S. federal law, or applicable international law. Examples include orders to target civilians, torture detainees, or engage in unauthorized domestic law enforcement without proper authorization.
Personal Responsibility: Service members are held personally criminally liable for their actions, even if they were acting under orders, provided a moral choice was possible.
FOR EXAMPLE: The My Lai massacre was a United States war crime committed on 16 March 1968, involving the mass murder of unarmed civilians in Sơn Mỹ village, Quảng Ngãi province, South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre
BREAKING: The Democratic lawmakers that Trump wants to execute hit back with a powerful statement that shows America that they won't be intimidated into silence.
This is what real patriotism sounds like...
"We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan stated.
"What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty," they continued.
"But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics," the wrote. "This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."
"In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated," they went on.
"Don’t Give Up the Ship!" the veteran lawmakers concluded.
The statement was precipitated by Trump's jaw-dropping Truth Social meltdown earlier today in which he called for the signatory lawmakers to be executed after they released a video urging our military members to ignore illegal orders.
"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" he wrote in one post.
"This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT" he wrote in another.
Worst of all, he reposted a message from a supporter saying; "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
In truth, George Washington would be horrified by a sitting president calling for the execution of his political opponents. These Democratic lawmakers have done nothing wrong by calling on our military to uphold the law. Our servicemen and women took an oath to defend the Constitution, not to obey the fascist whims of Donald J. Trump.
Please like and share!
This is what real patriotism sounds like...
"We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan stated.
"What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty," they continued.
"But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics," the wrote. "This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."
"In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated," they went on.
"Don’t Give Up the Ship!" the veteran lawmakers concluded.
The statement was precipitated by Trump's jaw-dropping Truth Social meltdown earlier today in which he called for the signatory lawmakers to be executed after they released a video urging our military members to ignore illegal orders.
"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" he wrote in one post.
"This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT" he wrote in another.
Worst of all, he reposted a message from a supporter saying; "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
In truth, George Washington would be horrified by a sitting president calling for the execution of his political opponents. These Democratic lawmakers have done nothing wrong by calling on our military to uphold the law. Our servicemen and women took an oath to defend the Constitution, not to obey the fascist whims of Donald J. Trump.
Please like and share!
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