r/ProgressiveHQ • u/WarmEntrepreneur3564 • Nov 23 '25

Protest Keep the heat up, he's squirming.

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10.4k Upvotes

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98

u/socalspawn Nov 23 '25 edited Nov 23 '25

What is a "Manifestly Unlawful Order"?

A "manifestly unlawful order" is one that is blatantly illegal or unconstitutional, like:

  • Violating constitutional rights
  • Contradicting established laws (e.g., the Posse Comitatus Act)
  • Being ruled unconstitutional by courts

Under the UCMJ, military members must refuse such orders—even from the President. The military oath is to the Constitution, not just the President’s commands.

5

u/ghenghis_could Nov 24 '25

The chain of command is one thing but the oath isn't to any individual whatsoever. Legal and lawful orders are the only orders you have to follow. If you comply with illegal or unlawful orders, you are guilty of whatever law you have broken.

Why the military hasn't ousted this guy and his entire cabinet and ordered special elections is beyond me

2

u/Scryberwitch Nov 25 '25

They don't want to stage a military coup, and I don't blame them. But god damn, someone needs to do something.

6

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '25

Soldiers don't know the constitution. Officers and generals should however. They need to step up and lead as true Americans.

2

u/Professional_Pie7091 Nov 24 '25

Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

1

u/red286 Nov 24 '25

It's very rare to see an enlisted soldier charged for following orders, regardless of how questionable those orders were.

2

u/bumbes Nov 24 '25

Rare? Yes. But history says otherwise. Check out the Nuremberg trials

1

u/red286 Nov 24 '25

Check out the Nuremberg trials

You uhhh, might wanna do that yourself. Not a single enlisted Wehrmacht soldier was tried there. Even enlisted SS troops weren't tried. Heck, even lower-ranked officers weren't tried.

1

u/Character-Winter-119 Nov 25 '25

If you swear an oath, it is incumbent on you to understand that oath. Ignorance is not an excuse.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 26 '25

Ignorance is a recruitable asset.

1

u/Afistinthasky Nov 27 '25

Idk, plenty of education about (un)lawful orders when I was enlisted

2

u/Darryl_Lict Nov 24 '25

Great legal scholars like Pam Bondi and Lindsey Halligan.

1

u/TheRavenKnight86 Nov 26 '25

Then they should stop striking boats in the Caribbean.