Latest Breaking News

Ponietz

(4,213 posts)

35. The law is crystal clear

Thu Nov 20, 2025, 01:53 PM

Nov 20

Under U.S. military law and international law, only lawful orders create a duty of obedience. The UCMJ (Arts. 90–92) makes clear that obedience is required only for lawful commands. In U.S. v. Calley (My Lai), the court rejected “following orders” as a defense to obviously criminal conduct against civilians. The Nuremberg Principles go further, establishing that individuals have an affirmative duty to refuse unlawful orders and remain personally responsible for war crimes despite superior direction.

Legal Authority
Core Principle UCMJ Articles 90, 91, 92 Service members must obey lawful orders; there is no duty to obey unlawful orders.
United States v. Calley (My Lai) “I was just following orders” is not a defense to manifestly illegal acts such as murdering civilians.
Nuremberg Principles (Post–WWII) Individuals have a duty to refuse unlawful commands; superior orders do not erase personal responsibility for war crimes.

A sane American

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

CosmicSloth Rhiannon12866

47 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Trump Calls for Democrats Who Urged Soldiers to Disobey Illegal Orders to Be 'ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL' [View all] Mr. Sparkle Nov 20 OP

Quiet, Piggy orangecrush Nov 20 #1

Yep. Telling someone to obey the law is not a crime Maeve Nov 20 #3

Yes! Any time he posts, any time he speaks, that should be the rejoinder. n/t Mister Ed Nov 20 #5

"Piggy" is too nice Klondike Kat Nov 20 #15

Urging others to simply follow the rule of law is now a crime? sop Nov 20 #2

Well the Republican party believe they are above the law............ Lovie777 Nov 20 #4

"so be it written, so be it done" pharaoh yul brenner rampartd Nov 20 #7

I believe those courageous congressmen and congresswomen knew what would happen Redleg Nov 20 #6

Quiet Quiet Piggy! Clouds Passing Nov 20 #8

Please add me to the fucking list asshat! maxrandb Nov 20 #9

The First Amendment made simple historical sedition--basically criticizing or opposing the government in any way--a... Ol Janx Spirit Nov 20 #10

Ah, but there is NO amendment sacred any longer slightlv Nov 20 #31

That's like going back in time and killing your own grandfather.... But it does seem... Ol Janx Spirit Nov 20 #32

it's always projection Nigrum Cattus Nov 20 #11

It's like these MAGA's feel like they finally got bluestarone Nov 20 #12

Oh for heaven's sake - as if he writes all these big words himself. Talitha Nov 20 #13

Now let's see if AG Blondi tries to charge these Democrats with Sedition. MarineCombatEngineer Nov 20 #14

Dem leaders just said Trump's call for execution of Dems has prompted them to contact US Capitol Police LetMyPeopleVote Nov 20 #16

As my Mama used to say: Bayard Nov 20 #17

MaddowBlog-White House targets Democratic veterans who told troops to refuse illegal orders LetMyPeopleVote Nov 20 #18

Irony is still dead. Harker Nov 20 #19

Neah neah-neah neah neah booga booga bingbong DinahMoeHum Nov 20 #20

baka yaro YoshidaYui Nov 20 #21

Senator Murphy-It is time to draw a line in the sand LetMyPeopleVote Nov 20 #22

He pretty much says that every day about something now, everyone has to be arrested! tonekat Nov 20 #23

Piggy's utterance is an illegal order. Kid Berwyn Nov 20 #24

Speaker Johnson defended this f'en nonsense. Gimpyknee Nov 20 #25

Piggy is Johnson's Lard and Savior. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 20 #34

As every accusation is a confession with this sick fuck, he's just confirming to the world Gaugamela Nov 20 #26

Every accusation is a confession HarryM Nov 20 #27

Why doesn't he just fucking die? Orrex Nov 20 #28

When your prosecutors are laughed out of court, you go to Plan B bucolic_frolic Nov 20 #29

Die, Beast, Die! Didn't we used to say this is the pot calling the kettle black? nt slightlv Nov 20 #30

King Piggy says what? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 20 #33

The law is crystal clear Ponietz Nov 20 #35

Sorry orange Nazi slob, hadEnuf Nov 20 #36

Can we use the Hitler name yet MSM? Nah...better wait for Trump to really do something outrageous. Bengus81 Nov 20 #37

They can't -- that would make them subject to being charged Rocknation Nov 20 #38

This clearly crosses the line into intimidation. BurnDoubt Nov 20 #39

He calls their reminding servicemembers to obey the Constitution and the UCMJ treason while he works for Russia? ChicagoTeamster Nov 20 #40

Telling troops to obey the law COL Mustard Nov 20 #41

NO!!! YOU are dangerous and very bad for our Country! sueh Nov 20 #42

He's picking up bad habits from his Saudi playmate. Queso Delicioso Nov 20 #43

How many are retired? The Grand Illuminist Nov 20 #44

Well Katcat Nov 20 #45

This coming from a convicted felon that half the voters were too stupid to put in jail. mdbl Nov 20 #46

That POS doesn't even know that there's a UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) for the military. usonian Nov 20 #47