The Uniform Code of Military Justice, known as the UCMJ, is the rulebook that controls how everyone in the United States military must behave. It does not matter what rank a person holds or which branch they serve in. These laws apply equally to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guard members, and anyone else serving. It also doesn’t matter whether someone is on the battlefield or working far from combat. The rules cover everyone.
Every service member is taught the basic principles of the UCMJ. They are expected to understand these rules because saying “I didn’t know” is not an excuse in military law. Under Article 92 of the UCMJ, all members of the military must obey lawful orders. But there is also another rule many civilians don’t know about: they must refuse unlawful orders. If a commander gives an order that is clearly illegal—like an order to kill innocent civilians—no one is allowed to follow it. In fact, following such an order can make the service member guilty of a crime.
This idea is not new. It comes from international law, especially the lessons learned after World War II during the Nuremberg trials. Many Nazi officers tried to defend themselves by saying, “I was just following orders,” but the world agreed that some orders are so obviously wrong that no reasonable person should obey them. These kinds of orders are called “manifestly illegal orders,” meaning orders that are clearly, unmistakably unlawful.
Today, that principle still stands. An order to target unarmed civilians is a perfect example of a manifestly illegal order.
Recently, President Donald Trump has been responsible for the rapid killing of at least 83 people in attacks against what he calls drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Trump and his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, label these people as “narco-terrorists,” claiming this allows the U.S. to treat them like enemy fighters in a war. But no such war legally exists. Even if these people were criminals — and Trump has not shown any real proof — international and U.S. law still requires proper arrest and legal process. A president cannot simply decide that civilian suspects can be executed without trial.
No country is allowed to kill unarmed, non-combatant civilians unless there is an immediate, life-threatening danger. Otherwise, any reckless leader could start killing people without rules or consequences. Disturbingly, critics say Trump’s released videos of these killings are beginning to look like violent “trophy clips,” something the world finds deeply alarming.
Countries around the globe are speaking out. Several strong U.S. allies — including the UK, Colombia, and the Netherlands — have stopped or paused sharing intelligence with the United States because they refuse to be connected to these actions. Even military support groups are now offering help to service members who fear they may be asked to carry out an illegal order.
Meanwhile, Trump has escalated his attacks at home. After a group of Democratic lawmakers — all of whom served in the military or intelligence — released a video reminding service members of their legal duty to reject illegal orders, Trump reacted with extreme anger. He demanded that these lawmakers be arrested, tried, and even executed simply for reminding the military of the law.
Trump posted:
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors… should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore! An example MUST BE SET.”
Then he added:
“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
After this, he reposted comments from others online calling the lawmakers “traitors,” “domestic terrorist Democrats,” and even messages urging they be hanged. This is the type of rhetoric that encourages random people to commit violence — a dangerous tactic that experts call “stochastic terrorism.”
Many are now asking why officials are not stepping in. They argue that the evidence showing Trump is unfit to lead is overwhelming. They point to a long list of actions:
He has used the U.S. military inside the country in ways that break long-standing laws.
He has turned the Department of Justice into a political weapon rather than an independent legal system.
He has sent armed, masked agents into neighborhoods, homes, schools, and churches without proper training.
His top advisors publicly encourage excessive force, praising brutality instead of professionalism.
He recently defended the killing and dismemberment of a journalist who criticized him.
He has declared political opponents to be “domestic terrorists,” violating the First Amendment.
His administration lied about peaceful protesters attacking ICE agents in order to justify ICE violence.
While destroying the rule of law inside the country, Trump’s carelessness abroad has created major national security threats. He has:
Revealed attack plans on unsecured communication channels.
Posted childish messages online that helped Iran move important nuclear material before the U.S. could act.
Mistakenly declared part of Mexico to be U.S. territory.
Angered NATO, undermined Ukraine, and supported Vladimir Putin.
Claimed “victory” in Gaza while violence continued.
Agreed to sell advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, ignoring warnings that this could let China steal U.S. technology.
Security experts warn that Trump does not understand — or does not care about — the long-term risks. Saudi Arabia and China already have a formal security partnership, meaning selling advanced American jets to Riyadh is like handing over sensitive technology to Beijing.
Despite warnings, Trump told reporters, “We will be selling F-35s. They want to buy them. They’ve been a great ally.” This shows either total disregard or a serious inability to understand national security issues.
At this point, officials have a legal and moral duty to act. Every federal official — including Trump’s own cabinet — swore an oath to protect the country from enemies both foreign and domestic. They have tools like impeachment, oversight powers, control of budgets, and even the 25th Amendment.
