REMINDING SERVICE MEMBERS NOT TO OBEY ILLEGAL ORDERS IS LAUDATORY; CALLING FOR THEIR EXECUTION REQUIRES IMPEACHMENT

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Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:   Trump’s calls for the execution of Members of Congress whose only crime was reminding service members that military law requires them to follow legal, but not illegal, orders are reprehensible and require the immediate commencement of impeachment proceedings. The members Trump wants punished are, instead, providing an important service and deserve our thanks. 


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

On November 18, responding to service members’ concerns about how to handle illegal order situations, six congressional Democrats—Senators Kelly and Slotkin, and Representatives Deluzio, Goodlander, Houlahan, and Crowe, all military veterans or former intelligence officials—released a 90-second video reminding military and intelligence officers of their legal responsibility to refuse unlawful orders. 

This message was especially timely, given the ongoing killing of non-combatant civilians off the coast of Venezuela, which, since illegal under US and international law, makes murderers of the entire chain of command from Hegseth to the person releasing the bombs. Trump’s stated plans to use the military against “the enemy within” in American cities would also create criminally liability for service members obeying such orders. 

Two days later Trump claimed they were traitors, improperly labeled their protected speech “sedition” and “treason,” and called for their execution—which put them in immediate danger from MAGA zealots. 

Now his DOD lackey, Pete Hegseth, is “reviewing” the “serious allegations of misconduct” against Senator Kelly, although, since Kelly hadn’t issued orders to active duty soldiers or interfered with their “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline, the statutes referenced don’t apply. 

And because Trump wants to make their lives as miserable as possible, he’s trying to get his DOJ puppet to charge them with RICO violations.

To Trump and his lackeys, it’s irrelevant that, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, applicable caselaw, and the Army Field Manual, following a superior’s order which “a man of ordinary sense and understanding would, under the circumstances, know to be unlawful” creates criminal liability.

Congress cannot allow these travesties to continue. If any other president called for the arrest and possible execution of Members of Congress simply for reaffirming military law, he’d be immediately impeached. Trump must face the same future. 

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. At a minimum, I expect the Senate to pass a resolution denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law and lauding your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Senators, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. At a minimum, I expect the Senate to pass a resolution denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law and lauding your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Senators, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. At a minimum, I expect the Senate to pass a resolution denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law and lauding your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Senators, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)

DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling because I am disgusted and appalled that Trump and his MAGA lackeys have called for Members of Congress to be hung simply for reminding military and intelligence officers they need not follow unlawful orders. Had any other president behaved this way, he would have immediately been impeached. Trump must face the same future. In addition to beginning impeachment proceedings and denouncing Trump’s complete disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law, I expect you to laud your brave colleagues for performing this important service. Their message is so important that all Representatives, whether Democrat or Republican, must daily amplify it.

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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