Posted on 11/19/2017 10:38:25 AM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
The commander of the U.S. nuclear force ignited controversy when he said Saturday that he would not follow an illegal order from the president. U.S. Strategic Command commander Air Force Gen. John Hyten was asked during the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia what he would do if he was asked to do something that was illegal.
Hyten responded that military officers study the law of armed conflict, which has certain principles they must abide by.
“If you execute an unlawful order, you can go to jail, and you could go to jail for the rest of your life,” he said. “It’s not that difficult.”
He said if he were given an illegal order from the president in regards to a nuclear strike, he would suggest something within the legal boundaries.
“The way the process work is it’s simple. I provide advice to the president. He’ll tell me what to do, and if it’s illegal, guess what’s going to happen? I’m going to say, Mr. President, that’s illegal. Guess what he’s going to do? He’s going to say, ‘What would be legal?’ And we’ll come up with options of a mix of capabilities to respond whatever the situation is, and that’s the way it works. It’s not that complicated,” he said.
Many interpreted Hyten’s remarks as suggesting he would resist a nuclear order from President Trump, and that his comments showed a lack of trust in the president.
A U.S. Strategic Command spokeswoman called that view “a gross misrepresentation of what he said” and “very misleading.”
“If you watch the panel comments, it speaks for itself. But most people don’t take the time … to go actually see what the source said,” Stratcom spokeswoman Julie Zeigenhorn told Breitbart News.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
This narrative is spun out of control. He knows Trump would never order an illegal Nuclear attack. And he also knows the Joint Chiefs of staff make the recommendation based on the information that is received by them. The president gives the final response based on their assessment. It’s a nothing article
He was at a Trump hating international “security conference”. The good General knew EXACTLY how his answer would be portrayed and he played ball anyway.
Amen sister. Enough with these sub par leftist insubordinate officers. Purge them and offer the positions back to those the evil obama regime ran off. Make Our Military Great Again!
I hope he enjoys running that supply depot in Minot, North Dakota, as an O-5.
If it’s anything like the Movies ,this guy would just sit there and watch the Lights Flash
And just who is to determine if the order is “illegal” or not? Hopefully, Yong Un’s first nuke will take out all of the “lawyers” and “judges”.
Illegal orders have always been debated. There was a great show at some point that held a debate.
Harvard grad, non-aviator/non-missilier, no combat experience, no assignment in his 36 year Air Force career outside of the Continental United States, mostly served in D.C., paper-pushing perfumed prince, Bush43 made him a 1-star, Obama gave him 2, 3, and 4-stars.
What the d-bag is really saying is that he doesn’t believe in first strike use of our nuclear arsenal, such as against the Norks. Not his call to make. Trump needs to fire him.
HEY, Def SJA, Court MARTIAL THAT @#@#%^*&%#@!
Any soldier, sailor, marine or airman is perfectly correct in disobeying an illegal or unlawful order. A nothing burger here.
Are there any commanders who would say different?
That they would obey an illegal order?
Looks like this news story is crafted to manipulate.
The question defeats itself with its flawed premise—the premise that Trump would issue an illegal order.
Exactly which law prevents any U.S. president from ordering a nuclear strike?
The process explained by the General has been in place for many years, it is not new. We have one of the finest set of military advisors with President Trump as any president in history. Trump has made it clear he uses his in-house generals and has delegated them great authority. I have complete confidence in the President’s decisions.
Problem is this trickles all the way down through Junior officers to working soldiers then truck drivers and Cooks. Can’t have a winning Army work like that.
He was asked if he would follow an illegal order.
He said he would state his case to the POTUS and if POTUS was unswayed and the lawyers say it is a legal order he would execute the launch.
If he received an order to nuke Kansas that would be an illegal order that he is not obligated to follow. That is obvious.
You owe your boss your best judgement and after the boss decides an issue, you owe the boss your loyalty to fully execute the legal order.
Since you are in the military you are aware that “just following orders” is not justification to execute a illegal order.
That is the trap the media tried to set—to try and say senior military leaders would knee-jerk and not follow a legal order by the POTUS.
Just the media trying to sow dissent in the ranks.
Since most people have never had a nuke mission they rely on Hollywood and the media to tell them what happens when nukes are a real option.
Thing is Hollywood and the media have no clue.
I think I see pilot wings on his photo.
...Bergdahl proved it.
But, at their court martial, they will have to prove that the order was illegal or be guilty of mutiny.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.