That's how it works for the military; they swear to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies first and then to "obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice," a formulation making it clear that said orders to obey are from the Presidency and not the President as a man: it's not an oath of personal loyalty to him but to the office he holds.
Based on behavior, the previous President wasn't very clear on that distinction. It's an important one.
BUILDING A 1:1 BALUN
4 years ago
2 comments:
It's been obvious for years that Trump has never really understood the military.
And, as implied by the way you wrote the post, military personnel have an absolute duty to disobey orders from whomever sits in the president's office if such orders violate the US Constitution.
Of course, such theocraticals are always easier at the extremes: Declaring martial Law and ordering the arrest of congress and the SCOTUS, orders to commit war crimes etc.
Disobeying orders that are less extreme but that you think violate the Constitution put you at considerable risk, and you had damn well be willing to take the consequences if you are wrong (or even if you are right).
Fortunately, no such situation came up while I was on active duty. But believe me, the possibility was discussed.
Indeed. Many years after Watergate, my CO made that very point during a lunchtime discussion.
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