So. Boys and girls. Wuddaya think. Do the Marines have the bravery to refuse an illegal order

[Stinky The Clown]

An order to take up arms on American soil is against the law yet Secretary Hair Extensions says Krasnov may order The Marines into LA.

Let's say that order is given. What next?

[walkingman]

1. Easy answer - NO

[synni]

2. It's not about bravery, but desire

Most of them are GOP, so the majority will happily throw the law under the bus for their party.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. "Most of them are GOP" Is that a fact or surmise?

Just asking

[Polybius]

15. Fact

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/30/military-veterans-remain-a-republican-group-backing-trump-over-harris-by-wide-margin/

[dickthegrouch]

7. Not desire. Preparation.

It only takes one well-prepared service member to show others that they have the law on their side to join in.
I hope @ACLU has prepared something with all the relevant UCMJ citations for refusing illegal orders, and broadsheets on how any specific order is illegal. That would go a long way to making those who actually disagree more confident in their position.

[Amaryllis]

9. ACLU does have advice and consultation available for such.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220376626

If you are Nat'l Guard or Active Duty Military, here is tel # to report illegal orders-Blue Sky post

[newdeal2]

3. No

And now that Republicans have installed incompetent loyalists at the Pentagon, CIA, FBI, etc. don't count on any one coming to their senses or trying to restrain Trump.

[Silent Type]

5. Doubt it. Think too many of today's troops are right wingers that hope to advance to henchman.

[Celerity]

6. no

[AzTired64]

8. Training

Marines(Infantry) are trained to follow orders, above nothing else. They are taught about being able to refuse illegal orders, but following orders from the COC is grilled into them.

Make no mistake about it, if a Marine perceives a threat, he will REACT. Not good.

My wife and I saw the movie Civil War last year and I left it so disturbed seeing soldiers fighting soldiers.

[Wuddles440]

10. Nope!

[Ping Tung]

11. I would like to think so but after spending 4 years (USMC 1961 - 1965) I very muh doubt it.

Last edited Mon Jun 9, 2025, 02:05 AM - Edit history (1)

Unless things have changed very much from when I was in, thinking for yourself is next door to a long prison sentence. Right/wrong, Good/bad, Human/inhuman, etc is left to the big shots to decide.

[TomSlick]

12. I long ago retired from the Army but if I was the Staff Judge Advocate for any flag officer commander

given an unlawful order, i.e. an order to commit a crime, I would give the commander a written legal opinion that the order was unlawful AND that the commander's legal obligation is to refuse the order. I would also advise that I have secured a copy of the legal opinion, where it cannot be seized, for use in any future court martial.

For example, an order to violate the Posse Comitatus Act is unlawful. Obedience of such an order would be a criminal act. The SCOTUS grant of presidential immunity does not extend to others obeying unlawful orders.

[Jack Valentino]

13. Most Marines aren't lawyers, either...

but trained to follow orders...

[Maru Kitteh]

14. Nope.

We’re on our own out here.

[Hotler]

16. You mean honor their military oath and defend the constitution and country from a fascist domestic enemy?

Not an ounce, the U.S. Army is surrendering on the 14th.