No force in the history of human civilization has had more money, resources, and capacity for destruction at its disposal than the United States military.

As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.

Though there are far too many examples of it failing to do so, our military — to be both effective and legitimate — is supposed to conform to established laws of war and rules of engagement. Otherwise, it would be nothing more than the most expensive and terrifying gang of ruthless thugs the world has ever seen.

That’s why members of our armed forces have not only the right, but the obligation, to disobey orders that violate the law or the United States Constitution (which they have sworn to defend from both foreign and domestic enemies).

Last week, these six members of Congress — each of whom served in the military or in intelligence — put out a video reminding current service members that they can and must disobey illegal orders:

Rep. Jason Crow (Colorado, Army)

Rep. Chris Deluzio (Pennsylvania, Navy)

Rep. Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire, Navy)

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania, Air Force)

Sen. Mark Kelly (Arizona, Navy)

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Michigan, C.I.A.)

In reaction, Donald Trump is amplifying death threats against these members of Congress, siccing compliant forces within his regime, including the FBI, on them, and even suggesting that at least one of them (Sen. Kelly) could be recalled into active military duty just to be court-martialed.

Again, the supposed “crime” these members of Congress are guilty of, in Trump’s eyes, is telling the plain truth that those who serve in America’s armed forces have both the right and the responsibility to disobey illegal orders.

To support our troops includes supporting their right and duty *not* to follow illegal orders. No matter what our politics are or who the president is. And especially when Trump — along with his sycophantic and misogynistic Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth — have made it very clear that they have little regard for what is or isn’t legal. (And when the Supreme Court has, absurdly, ruled that the president is in effect above the law.)

Join Public Citizen in a message to all members of Congress:

Representatives Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander, and Houlahan and Senators Kelly and Slotkin are right. And it should not be the least bit controversial for every member of Congress, and, indeed, for all Americans to agree. Members of the United States military can and must disobey orders that violate the law or the United States Constitution. For that matter, no government employee or official should follow illegal orders given by any other government employee or official.

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For justice,

- Robert Weissman & Lisa Gilbert, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
 
 
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