Top general says he'd push back against 'illegal' nuclear strike order

[AdamSmith]

Top general says he'd push back against 'illegal' nuclear strike order

Washington (CNN)The top US nuclear commander said Saturday he would push back against an order from President Donald Trump for a nuclear strike if it were "illegal."

Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada, Gen. John Hyten, who is the commander of US Strategic Command, shared what would happen if he were ordered to launch a nuclear strike. 

 

"I provide advice to the President," Hyten said. "He'll tell me what to do, and if it's illegal, guess what's going to happen? I'm gonna 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 to whatever the situation is, and that's the way it works. It's not that complicated."

 

cont.: http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/18/politics/air-force-general-john-hyten-nuclear-strike-donald-trump/index.html

[TotallyOz]

Not smart of him to say this on record.  Trump will sideline him.  He is itching for a war. IMHO

[AdamSmith]

1 hour ago, TotallyOz said:

Not smart of him to say this on record.  Trump will sideline him.  He is itching for a war. IMHO

Not legally possible.

My whole point: the Constitutional military Chain of Command -- sworn obedience to the Constituon, NOT to the Executive -- is infinitely more powerful and durable than any feeble order the Executive could issue, if that order were illegal and unconstitutional.

Don't you see? Madison & Washington & the other Framers foresaw that, if the Republic endured enough years, it would inevitably get a Trump.

Just watch -- faIrly soon, I would think, from Mueller's recent moves -- the Constitutional trap doors start to operate. 

[Guest Larstrup]

HE’S INSANE!!!

Of course this coming on the heels of this:

For the record, all three basketball players publicly thanked this president during their televised press conference upon their return earlier this past week.

[RA1]

Gen. Hyten in trying to avoid the German alibi of just following orders still has a difficult task in following the US Constitution.  He might have seconds or minutes to follow instructions.  That seemingly leaves mutiny or waiting upon the Supreme Court to rule.  Some choices.

Best regards,

RA1

[AdamSmith]

3 hours ago, RA1 said:

Gen. Hyten in trying to avoid the German alibi of just following orders still has a difficult task in following the US Constitution.  He might have seconds or minutes to follow instructions.  That seemingly leaves mutiny or waiting upon the Supreme Court to rule.  Some choices.

Best regards,

RA1

His entirely legal, and indeed Constitutionally required, duty to tell the Executive NO: I AND THE REST OF THE NECESSARY OPERATIONAL EXECUTIONAL CHAIN SIMPLY WILL NOT COMPLY WITH YOUR ILLEGAL AND EXTRA-CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER would seem a good enough buffer.

[RA1]

So long as there is anyone left to know or care. 

Best regards,

RA1

[AdamSmith]

8 minutes ago, RA1 said:

So long as there is anyone left to know or care. 

Best regards,

RA1

Your logic is upside down: The order from the Football is not executed until the military officer quoted above authorizes and commands it.

"For reasons which must by now be all too obvious."

[RA1]

Authenticate I can understand.  I will do my due diligence and report. 

Best regards,

RA1

[RA1]

From what I can tell this (second man authentication) has never been tested (and with any luck, never will be).  It was tiptoed up to during Nixon.  There are some interesting conflicts namely the President must defend and follow the Constitution but also must the military.  Defend the country but also consider the Geneva Convention.  I think my original statement still stands.  I am just following orders or not.

Best regards,

RA1