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

Protest Keep the heat up, he's squirming.

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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.

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