Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth's refusal to confirm whether he would follow unlawful orders from President-elect Trump raises critical concerns about military obedience to the Constitution. His hesitance accentuates the importance of military personnel's duty to uphold constitutional laws above orders from the commander in chief. Any instruction to open fire on civilians would not only be unlawful but could also be categorized as a war crime under established legal frameworks.
The potential consequences of an order from Trump to deploy military forces against civilians could be devastating. Today's military possesses significantly more lethal capabilities than that of the past, unlike the 1970 Kent State incident, underscoring a pressing issue for military ethics and legality. The use of lethal force against civilians poses serious moral and legal dilemmas, highlighting the need for military members to prioritize their constitutional obligations.
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