We’re in desperate times when the American president — sadly, it’s Donald Trump — says that reminding members of the military that they aren’t required to follow illegal orders is seditious behavior, punishable by death.
Well, more accurately, this is how Trump put it in his all caps fashion:
“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Here’s the video that set Trump off into an authoritarian rage. I find it totally acceptable, since the lawmakers are simply restating a provision in the code of military justice.
But Trump clearly wants to make the United States military into his own private army. That’s why it’s so important to remind every person in our armed forces that it is their constitutional duty not to comply with illegal orders.
Like, killing civilians in international waters, as has been happening to supposed criminals using boats to smuggle cocaine out of South America. That isn’t a capital offense, especially when there’s no evidence that a crime even has been committed. Or, policing American citizens, which is legally prohibited except under conditions of rebellion, which obviously isn’t happening.
A BBC story, “Trump calls Democrats’ message to troops seditious behavior, punishable by death,” describes the video and Trump’s unhinged response to it.
The video by Democrats, which was shared by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, features Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Chris DeLuzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Jason Crow of Colorado.
Sen Kelly, who served in the Navy and is a former astronaut, says: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution,” the lawmakers say in the video.
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” it says. “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats coming to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home.”
The response from Trump on Thursday morning came in a series of posts on Truth Social.
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET,” he wrote in one post on Thursday.
He went on to say: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
In a third post, he wrote: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Trump also reposted a TruthSocial post that read “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!”
Remember after Charlie Kirk’s murder how politicians across the political spectrum urged Americans to tone down their rhetoric demonizing the other side? I sure do. Looks like Trump either didn’t get that memo (unlikely) or doesn’t care in the slightest about following that wise advice (highly likely).
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Yes, it’s called treason, and anarchy. And it deserves the death penalty.
Anyway, if Trump is unduly fixated on the death penalty, maybe your side shouldn’t have tried to assassinate him. Twice. And assassinate Charlie Kirk. And regularly shoot at US law enforcement agents.