Posted on Feb 29, 2016
Would the military follow the orders of Donald Trump?
6.54K
84
56
11
11
0
I have seen people sharing an article suggesting that "anonymous military leaders" have said they would not take orders from a President Trump. Whether this information is fake or not, why would anyone believe that the military would not follow orders from whoever becomes the Commander in Chief? The military does not sign up to serve one political party or candidate over the other.
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Election 2016
Politics Election 2016
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 26
17
17
0
We see this every election for each President. It's BS. The military is one of the few Government organizations which understands the national security of our country comes before our political perceptions.
(17)
(0)
Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
GySgt John Olson - Re-read what I'm saying Gunny. To clarify, I'm speaking of the reports that there were or are Generals/Leaders who "say" they will not follow the orders of the given President. No where did I imply that this actually happens from significant members of the military. In fact, I did say "It's BS."
(1)
(0)
11
11
0
Speaking as a military officer, I don't care how much I loathe Donald Trump as a racist, bullying demagogue. If he were to win the election in November, then come January 20, 2017 at noon, he would, upon taking the oath of office, BE the President. At that point, I would follow ALL lawful orders that came from him.
Why? Because that's what we do as military officers.
Why? Because that's what we do as military officers.
(11)
(0)
CPT Ray Doeksen
I think the trouble is that he's LOUDLY proclaimed a number of things ... repeatedly, that would be war crimes, as this article in conservative outlet The National Review discusses: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/428719/kill-terrorists-families-gangsta-trump
Trump’s Call to Kill Family Members of Terrorists Is Quarter-Baked
If the Trump Standard is applied, and we go after terrorists' families, we'd be joining a sordid collection of regimes that have used collective punishment to stay in power.
(0)
(0)
SGT Philip Keys
CW3 (Join to see) - I saw that, you said you would follow the lawful orders of any president. Saying trump is a racist when we already have a racist president was what I meant to comment on.
(0)
(0)
6
6
0
I don't like Trump at all but the moment he's sworn in as president my personal opinions become irrelevant. The American people have made their choice and I'm bound to honor that. The military's role is apolitical we stand ready defend the nation regardless of who is in office.
(6)
(0)
5
5
0
I'm pretty sure I heard these same complaints about Obama...and as far as I know, there has not been wide-spread mutiny in the last eight years. I'm pretty sure the same would hold true for President Trump, President Rubio, President Sanders, or President Clinton II.
(5)
(0)
2
2
0
I think some of this is based upon and interview Bill Maher did with the former head of the CIA Michael Hayden. Hayden discussed possible "unlawful orders" that Trump might issue that would potentially not be followed by the military. Two examples he gave were waterboarding prisoners and targeting the families of ISIS leaders during attacks. There would be a lot of discussion with White House legal staff and others before orders were given. I think we all know that.
I don't think any President would have to say target the family of ISIS leaders. What he would say is "I am not as concerned about collateral damage as my predecessor" That would clear the way for attacks of a bolder nature.
On waterboarding, where there is a will, there is a way. We don't have to do it ourselves, there are plenty of people out there that can get information from folks for us.
I don't think any President would have to say target the family of ISIS leaders. What he would say is "I am not as concerned about collateral damage as my predecessor" That would clear the way for attacks of a bolder nature.
On waterboarding, where there is a will, there is a way. We don't have to do it ourselves, there are plenty of people out there that can get information from folks for us.
(2)
(0)
CPT Ray Doeksen
CPT (Join to see) - What part was misleading? “The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families,” Trump said on Fox News earlier this month. “They care about their lives, don’t kid yourself. When they say they don’t care about their lives, you have to take out their families.” Trump insists that family members “know what is going on,” but in many cases that’s simply not true, especially when it comes to people outside the immediate family circle.
Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/428719/kill-terrorists-families-gangsta-trump
Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/428719/kill-terrorists-families-gangsta-trump
Trump’s Call to Kill Family Members of Terrorists Is Quarter-Baked
If the Trump Standard is applied, and we go after terrorists' families, we'd be joining a sordid collection of regimes that have used collective punishment to stay in power.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
CPT Ray Doeksen - Hey brother, I was referring to the interview with Bill Maher and Former CIA director Hayden, giving speculative answers to leading questions. Also I despise Bill Maher and reject anything he has to say.
(0)
(0)
CPT Ray Doeksen
CPT (Join to see) - Ah! I hear you ... I'm watching the whole interview over again now, and Hayden said "I would be incredibly concerned if a President Trump governed in a way that was consistent with the language that Candidate Trump expressed during the campaign" ... and when pressed for details he gave this as an example of things that Trump said; "We're going to do waterboarding and a whole lot more, because they deserve it." and then Hayden said "If he were to order that, once in government, the American Armed Forces would refuse to act." and "You are required not to follow an unlawful order. In fact that would be in violation of all the international laws of armed conflict." So I don't see what was so leading or speculative about that. It was a precise answer about an actual thing that Trump has said, and it was carefully worded. Hayden didn't appear to be badgered or coerced into saying anything and Hayden hasn't tried to jump on this or clarify it that I can find any trace of. You can despise Maher, no worries ... but that interview appears sound and valid. I can't see any flaw in what Hayden had to say, can you?
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
CPT Ray Doeksen - You could be on the right track there, brother. My loathing of Bill Maher probably interferes with my objectivity sometimes.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Great question but I think Gen Joe Dunford USMC Chief of the Joint Chiefs may try to filter Trump's orders to the Pentagon...Or convince Trump he hasn't a clue what he is talking about ?????
(2)
(0)
Sgt Tom Cunnally
SSG (Join to see) - Would Trump take advice from anyone who doesn't kiss his butt?? Or agree with him 99.9% of the time??? I don't think so..???????????
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
1
1
0
This is just unprofessional people pouting over something that they can't control. Whether we like who is in office or not we have to have the understanding that POTUS and Congress will do whatever they think is best for the country. Even if we don't believe it. If Trump decides to build a dome around the US so immigrants cant get in, it still has to go through congress so hopefully we should be safe from any of his shenanigans.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The objective of the article isn't to imply that the military would provoke a coup. The article clearly articulates that the military would not follow an unlawful order and that is what we are obligated to do. All officers serve at the pleasure of the President.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I agree. The amount of people bending this and the Ex CIA chief's comments to suggest the military would act against Trump, or any candidate that were to become President, is shocking.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
If he were to win the election, the very moment he was sworn in all my personal opinions of him would be irrelevant. The people of the United States of America would have spoken, and it would be my sworn duty to obey any and all lawful orders given. It isn't our place as the military to decide whether or not someone should be president, that is up to the public during election time, and protesting their decision by refusing to follow a lawful order would be nothing short of treason.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google