Quote:

Trump floats death penalty for Democrats urging military to refuse illegal orders US President Donald Trump has floated that Democratic politicians deserve the death penalty for urging active military and intelligence officers disobey unlawful orders. The comments have been condemned as "chilling" by Democrats. The White House said Mr Trump was not calling for their execution in his social media posts, in which he stated their "words cannot be allowed to stand" and were "punishable by DEATH".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-21/trump-floats-death-penalty-for-democrats-military-refuse-orders/106035314

That's incredibly rich coming from someone who was a draft dodger to get out of serving in Vietnam. Besides, all members of the military have the right - and in some cases duty - to refuse to follow illegal orders. They cannot refuse a legal order, but are legally protected from refusing illegal orders.

This is a very murky situation. What is the definition of a lawful order under the American UCMJ?  In Australia this situation could not arise, at least to the same extent, because the DFDA has definition of a lawful order and clearly states that an unlawful order can be refused. 

Belgarion wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 8:28am:

This is a very murky situation. What is the definition of a lawful order under the American UCMJ?  In Australia this situation could not arise, at least to the same extent, because the DFDA has definition of a lawful order and clearly states that an unlawful order can be refused.

The Rules for Courts-Martial say that an order is lawful, “unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders or for some other reason is beyond the authority of the official issuing it.”  The Rules go on to say that, “This inference does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime.”  Finally, the Rules say, “The lawfulness of an order is a question of law to be determined by the military judge.”

I saw that this morning

"The President of the United States of America just called for the death of Democratic lawmakers.  This man is sick in the head," California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X, attaching a screenshot of a post from Trump.
The post in question reads "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" and followed a string of reposts from Trump of deranged remarks from MAGA social media users. One of the posts that Trump shared read "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
The demands for execution were in response to an article in the right-wing Washington Examiner entitled: "Democratic veterans in Congress urge service members to refuse unspecified unlawful orders."
The piece reported that six Democratic veterans in Congress have released a video calling on U.S. military members to disobey unlawful orders. In it, Senator Elissa Slotkin, Senator Mark Kelly, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan stated that "threats to our Constitution" are coming "from right here at home."
There is absolutely nothing seditious about the video and in fact U.S. service members are expected and required to disobey illegal orders. They swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, not to blindly serve the president. With Trump deploying increasingly fascist masked enforces domestically while gearing up for war in Venezuela, it's crucial that our military members stand strong for the rule of law.
In another post, Trump wrote: "This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT."

Comprehension is not Trump's strong suit. Not a single Democrat suggested in any way, shape or form that members of the US military should ignore lawful orders. They spoke only about unlawful orders. But of course, trump and Johnson fail to mention that important distinction in their unhinged attacks on Democrats.

Quote:

The comments have been condemned as "chilling" by Democrats.

Chilling, but not surprising.

He's one of the biggest monsters the world has ever seen.

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 9:07am:

Quote: The comments have been condemned as "chilling" by Democrats. Chilling, but not surprising. He's one of the biggest monsters the world has ever seen.

You have to wonder what would happen if he seized power in a country that didn't have a strong democracy like the US. Imagine if he'd been born somewhere like an Eastern European former Soviet bloc country (e.g. Belarus) or somewhere like Iran in the Middle East, where nothing and no one could stop him. We are lucky to some small extent that there is some degree of restraint placed upon him and what he can do as President of the United States.

All the Democrats in the video simply stated the law.

Nothing more.

Service members are not required to follow illegal orders.

Trump is so unhinged that he's now calling for their executions and calling this an insurrection.

He's lost his mind, and any brainwashed MAGA devotees who line up behind this are just as insane.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 9:13am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 21st, 2025 at 9:07am: Quote: The comments have been condemned as "chilling" by Democrats. Chilling, but not surprising. He's one of the biggest monsters the world has ever seen. You have to wonder what would happen if he seized power in a country that didn't have a strong democracy like the US. Imagine if he'd been born somewhere like an Eastern European former Soviet bloc country (e.g. Belarus) or somewhere like Iran in the Middle East, where nothing and no one could stop him. We are lucky to some small extent that there is some degree of restraint placed upon him and what he can do as President of the United States.

Some restraint, yes.

But will it be enough?

He's already murdered more than 70 innocent people in boats.

Just another beautiful day in America.

ProudKangaroo wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 9:30am:

All the Democrats in the video simply stated the law. Nothing more. Service members are not required to follow illegal orders. Trump is so unhinged that he's now calling for their executions and calling this an insurrection. He's lost his mind, and any brainwashed MAGA devotees who line up behind this are just as insane.

Yes

ProudKangaroo wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 9:30am:

and any brainwashed MAGA devotees who line up behind this are just as insane.

Frank and Leroy will be along shortly to make excuses

John Smith wrote on Nov 21^st, 2025 at 10:20am:

ProudKangaroo wrote on Nov 21st, 2025 at 9:30am: and any brainwashed MAGA devotees who line up behind this are just as insane. Frank and Leroy will be along shortly to make excuses

Public hangings seems the only option for these tratiors.

right on cue ::)