Former US Army captain gives Dems 'NEWSFLASH' about military
By Fox Business Clips
Key Concepts
- Intent of Lawmakers: The core of the discussion revolves around the intent behind six Democrat lawmakers' video encouraging military personnel to defy court orders.
- Defiance of Court Orders: The central action being scrutinized is the encouragement of military members to disobey orders without specifying which orders are illegal.
- Legality of Orders: A key point of contention is whether the orders issued by the Trump administration are indeed illegal or unconstitutional.
- Insubordination in the Military: The potential for the lawmakers' actions to ferment general insubordination within the military is a significant concern.
- Chain of Command: The established military hierarchy and the obligation of service members to obey lawful orders from their superiors, including the Commander-in-Chief, are emphasized.
- Political Motivation: The lawmakers' actions are suggested to be politically motivated, stemming from a loss of power and disagreement with the Trump administration's policies.
- Consequences of Disobedience: The potential for military personnel to face court-martial and other severe repercussions for disobeying orders is highlighted.
- Vagueness of Claims: The lack of specific examples of illegal orders cited by the lawmakers is a recurring criticism.
Federal Investigation Warranted into Democrat Lawmakers' Video
The discussion centers on a video released by six Democrat lawmakers that encouraged young men and women in the U.S. military to defy court orders. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch, speaking to Sean Hannity, stated that a federal investigation is warranted into the lawmakers' intent behind this action. Blanch emphasized that the lawmakers did not provide any hint of what specific laws or orders were considered illegal, nor did they suggest any legal basis for defiance. He characterized the video as a "disgusting and inappropriate display of supposed leadership from the Democrat party," suggesting the lawmakers should have identified themselves as Democrats who lost the election rather than former members of the military or intelligence community. Blanch asserted that, based on his understanding, no laws are being violated and no unconstitutional or illegal orders are being given.
Analysis of the Lawmakers' Actions and Military Protocol
Former U.S. Army Captain Doug Truax joined the discussion to provide his perspective. He described the lawmakers' actions as "very, very dangerous stuff" and "getting really close to some really crazy lines." Truax explained that the concept of not having to obey illegal orders is already understood by all military personnel upon joining and swearing to defend the Constitution. He argued that the lawmakers' approach, suggesting they might later inform service members of what is illegal or encouraging them to decide for themselves, is problematic. Truax reiterated that the U.S. Constitution designates the President as the Commander-in-Chief and that a clear chain of command exists, which service members are obligated to obey.
Truax posited that the lawmakers' actions stem from a "feeling they've got the reality that they're losing control of their power base," particularly in light of immigration crackdowns. He believes they are attempting to influence military personnel to disobey the President, even if the orders are legal, by framing them as potentially illegal. Truax warned that any service member who follows the lawmakers' advice and disobeys orders, even if they believe them to be illegal, risks court-martial and severe consequences. He encouraged military personnel to "stay steady" and "do what's right" based on their understanding of the law and military protocol.
Criticism of Vagueness and Lack of Specificity
A significant point of criticism throughout the segment is the vagueness of the lawmakers' message. Martha MacCallum of Fox News interviewed Colorado Democrat Jason Crowe, one of the lawmakers featured in the video. Crowe was unable to specify any actual Trump policy or order that he deemed illegal. When pressed by MacCallum about what specific actions were problematic, Crowe deflected, mentioning "collusions" and suggesting a need to "prevent things from happening before they become a problem." MacCallum challenged this, stating that the military's obligation is to carry out orders from the Commander-in-Chief. Crowe's inability to provide concrete examples led to the conclusion that the message was too vague for people to understand.
The transcript contrasts the lawmakers' vague accusations with the Trump administration's actions regarding illegal immigration. It is stated that the Trump administration apprehended at least 80,000 to 110,000 criminal illegal aliens in its first 10 months, while Joe Biden allegedly allowed 11 million unvetted illegal aliens into the U.S., including MS-13 gang members, terrorists, murderers, rapists, and kidnappers. The segment questions why the Democrat lawmakers cannot specify which of these actions, if any, are illegal, implying that the President's actions in this regard are not illegal.
Personal Attacks and Political Motivations
Captain Truax expressed his disappointment with Jason Crowe, noting that Crowe is an Army Ranger and that Truax himself is also an Army Ranger. Truax stated that Crowe has "sold his soul for political power" and is solely seeking to gain power from this situation, calling it "terrible." This highlights the perception that the lawmakers' actions are driven by political agendas rather than genuine concerns about the legality of military orders.
Conclusion and Takeaways
The primary takeaway from the transcript is the strong condemnation of the Democrat lawmakers' video by both Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch and former Army Captain Doug Truax. Their actions are viewed as a dangerous attempt to undermine military discipline and the chain of command, potentially leading to insubordination and severe consequences for service members. The lack of specific, actionable information regarding illegal orders is a key point of criticism, suggesting the lawmakers' motivations are political rather than based on legitimate legal concerns. The segment implies that the Trump administration's policies, particularly concerning immigration, are not illegal, and the lawmakers' attempts to frame them as such are unfounded. The call for a federal investigation underscores the seriousness with which these actions are being taken.
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