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Can Milley Be Courtmartialed Under Military Law Despite The Federal Pardon?

Posted on 01/20/2025 6:35:23 AM PST by Be Careful

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To: CIB-173RDABN
A Military Court is a federal court so the traitor may be in the clear

If I remember my Civics classes from decades ago, “treason” is the only crime listed in the Constitution that can not be pardoned.

Having said that, treason has a high standard to prove.


China arguably committed an act of bio warfare against America with Covid -19 .

This is an explicit act of war by China against the US

If you recall, China was reportedly prepping for potential nuclear attack by the US so the Chinese were obviously concerned that the Covid-19 outbreak could be seen as a bio warfare attack against the US.

US policy is that the appropriate response to a bio weapons attack can be a nuclear response.

Milley is on record as saying that he was collaborating with the Chinese military to thwart any possible nuclear attacks on China by the US.

Thinking a pretty plausible case could be made that Milley’s actions meets the standard for treason in that context.

41 posted on 01/20/2025 7:08:26 AM PST by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: Be Careful
Maybe Milley can be recalled to active duty and placed before a Marine Board of Inquiry. As for the rest of those that received preemptive pardons start referring to them as pardoned felons.
42 posted on 01/20/2025 7:10:08 AM PST by radmanptn
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To: Be Careful

Unfortunately, he and Fauci and the other criminals could probably claim double jeopardy...

of sorts...


43 posted on 01/20/2025 7:10:28 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: FlingWingFlyer

Yes, heaven knows they deserve punishment, but if they’re to get what they deserve it’ll have to be administered extra-judicially. Don’t hold your breath.


44 posted on 01/20/2025 7:13:51 AM PST by Blurb2350 (posted from my 1500-watt blow dryer)
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To: Leaning Right

The problem is that the actual wording of the constitution in no way authorizes the President to grant preemptive pardons. But the issue arose at one time and was wrongly interpreted by the Supreme Court just like they wrongly interpreted the 14th amendment. We need a new court challenge.


45 posted on 01/20/2025 7:14:27 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: butterdezillion

“And the trial could conceivably last a long, long time...”

Wouldn’t all he have to do is plead guilty if there is no sentence? No expensive trial. The press would cover for him.


46 posted on 01/20/2025 7:14:41 AM PST by alternatives?
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To: Starboard
Not sure that’s right. A military court operates under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Maybe some legal types on FR can opine on this...

The pardon power in the U.S. Constitution was left vague and is subject to judicial "gloss", (interpretation). Without doing any research, I think the pardon protects someone from further criminal prosecutions, BUT accepting that pardon can be considered an admission of guilt. If he is retired, Trump may be able to recall him to active duty to demote him in rank as CIC for insubordination.
47 posted on 01/20/2025 7:15:28 AM PST by Dr. Franklin ("A republic, if you can keep it." )
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To: Red Badger

Thanks for posting the actual wording. It might be interesting to get a case before the SCOTUS to get them to define the line “offenses against the United States.”
1. What does United States mean? The government? Or any person?
2. “Against” vs. “in” the United States? The latter term is more vague and wide.
3. “Offenses” means supposed or actual?

It would be smart to charge Fauci, have him twist through the system and bankrupt his a$$. At least he can appreciate what Trump has gone through for the last 8 years.


48 posted on 01/20/2025 7:15:38 AM PST by BigB60 (C. S. Lewis loves hobbits)
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To: fightin kentuckian
But, he can now be forced to testify, and should he lie, he will not be protected by the pardon. If he is clearly shown to have been traitorous, he can be stripped of awards and recognition, and his name will be side by side with Benedict Arnold. That is enough disgrace. A court-martial would not have accomplished anything. But an investigation will make his life hell, especially when his unprotected staff will find themselves in the crosshairs.
49 posted on 01/20/2025 7:16:32 AM PST by OldGoatCPO (No Caitiff Choir of Angels will sing for me)
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To: grey_whiskers; jagusafr

And as I think of it, being pardoned of a crime doesn’t mean a person can’t receive a dishonorable discharge and conceivably lose their pension as a result.

Jagusafr, I’m pinging you so you can correct me if I’m mistaken.


50 posted on 01/20/2025 7:17:07 AM PST by butterdezillion
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To: Brian Griffin

“Exactly what would you convict him for?”

Believe he has already admitted he held secret talks with the Chinese government to tell them he would countermand attack orders by Trump. THAT would qualify as treason in my book!


51 posted on 01/20/2025 7:17:52 AM PST by Mr Rogers
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To: Leaning Right

That was pre-emptive only in that it was a pardon of people who hadn’t yet been charged. BUT their crime had already been committed and their crime was stated in the pardon. Totally different than unspecified, non-charged crimes being pardoned.


52 posted on 01/20/2025 7:19:42 AM PST by butterdezillion
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To: Dr. Franklin

THAT would be a howl.. demoted to E-1!!
I Love that idea :D


53 posted on 01/20/2025 7:19:54 AM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: butterdezillion
I posted this on a similar thread back on December 6.
I am not a lawyer or Constitutional expert but I did find this below. A pardon of Milley would at the very least raise the question of "what crimes did he commit such that he needs a pardon?" And is he still vulnerable under the law for such crimes beyond what has been covered by a pardon?

The answer appears to be "yes." He can be impeached retroactively and deprived of the benefits he still derives as a retired civilian official.

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1, often referred to as the Pardon Clause. It states:

"The President... shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution specifies who can be impeached and the grounds for impeachment:
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Grounds for Impeachment:

Retroactive Impeachment Retroactive impeachment and conviction can deprive a former federal official of their pension and other benefits. It can also have other consequences, such as disqualification from holding future office and loss of benefits.

None of the above would apply to Milley's military career though because that would fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and I think there's a 5 year statute of limitations.

But there is this:

18 U.S.C. § 3281: “An indictment for treason or other capital offense may be found at any time without limitation.”


54 posted on 01/20/2025 7:20:11 AM PST by RoosterRedux ("There's nothing so inert as a closed mind" )
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To: Leaning Right

Events like Biden has done with the pardons are what moves people to violence and being vigilantes. I pray that people use their anger to change the system and not turn to violence.

This country is a pressure cooker right now.


55 posted on 01/20/2025 7:20:49 AM PST by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: Be Careful

The good news is no they cant refuse to answer questions by congress. There is no 5th amendment protection when you are pardoned - since you cant be prosecuted.

Therefore, they must answer truthfully about anything they are asked. If they lie, a new crime has been committed for which they are not pardoned - then you can convict them for lying. If they tell the truth - we get to see under the rocks of all the bad things they were doing.


56 posted on 01/20/2025 7:22:18 AM PST by EdgeOfDarkness (EdgeOfDarkness)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

“These so called pardons will likely end up in front of SCOTUS and be struck down.”

Like it or not, Ford’s pardon of Nixon held up. Read it again.

“Now, Therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.”


57 posted on 01/20/2025 7:23:26 AM PST by jeffersondem
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To: Starboard
"A military court operates under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Maybe some legal types on FR can opine on this..."

The UCMJ is a federal criminal code. Presidential pardons do apply.

58 posted on 01/20/2025 7:23:33 AM PST by Joe 6-pack
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To: EdgeOfDarkness

And, a RICO suit would be very appropriate.


59 posted on 01/20/2025 7:23:39 AM PST by anton
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Strangely (or not), you can.


60 posted on 01/20/2025 7:24:09 AM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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