“I, a proud member of the U.S. military, won’t obey illegal orders to attack our allies.”

Knowing your duties is key — and executing illegal orders isn’t one of them.

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

Whether you’re conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between, this statement addresses an urgent issue that affects us all. It applies equally across party lines.

None of the following is intended to undermine the strength or integrity of the U.S. Armed Forces or diminish the powers of the president. Quite the opposite: it is a warning to prevent violations of the U.S. Constitution that would lead to devastating consequences — not only for the nation as a whole and the armed forces as an institution, but also for individual military members who partake in illegal actions.

President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at expanding the United States by force. His remarks have focused on the potential annexation of Canada, the Panama Canal, and Greenland. Although there has been no commitment to using military force in any of these cases so far, we should be prepared for any possible outcomes.

Let me be absolutely clear: Any military assault on these sovereign territories would not only betray the trust of long-time allies and shatter the credibility of the United States as a global leader but also constitute a grave violation of international law and the U.S. Constitution.

While obeying orders is a cornerstone of military discipline and effectiveness, the primary obligation of service members is not to obey commands, but to obey the law. It is their duty to refuse illegal orders.

All U.S. military members have sworn an oath to protect the Constitution. This oath is not just a verbal commitment — it is a deep moral and legal obligation to the American people. For failing to uphold their oath and involvement in war crimes, members of the military can be individually prosecuted and severely punished by law, even when the instructions came from the president.

The refusal to follow an illegal order to invade allied territory is not a betrayal of a military member’s duties. On the contrary, it is the highest expression of those duties. Upholding the rule of law is not an act of rebellion. It is an act of loyalty to the principles that form the foundation of honorable military service.

History is rife with examples of war crimes committed by those who blindly followed illegal orders. Many of those involved have faced prosecution for failing to question or resist their instructions. Unquestioned obedience to illegal orders is not loyalty; it is complicity.

Self-commitment to refuse illegal orders

In the face of Trump’s expansion plans, I propose a list of five self-commitments for U.S. service members, designed to protect them from undue manipulation and from inadvertently breaking the law:

1) I will think for myself

I am not a brainless machine. I am capable of critical thinking and know my rights and responsibilities. I recognize that the American people don’t want a military that blindly obeys illegal orders, but one that respects and protects the U.S. Constitution. Some of the worst atrocities in history happened because people mindlessly followed orders, and we still ask how such things were possible. As service members, we are not just instruments of war; we are also guardians of justice. It is our duty to ensure that our actions reflect the values we have sworn to defend.

2) I recognize the legal implications of complicity

Being a member of the military doesn’t put me above the law. Following an order to invade an allied nation that hasn’t attacked us would make me complicit in a crime of aggression — a violation not only of human decency, but of both national and international law. My duty is to uphold the law, not break it. No one, regardless of their rank, can demand that I violate this duty. I know, and will warn colleagues who may not be aware, that we can individually be sued, prosecuted, and severely punished for following orders that are patently illegal.

3) I will resist coercion and manipulation

I commit to standing strong, refusing to be bullied, coerced, or manipulated into the wrong direction. No look, tone, or intimidation will deter me from resolutely standing on the right side of history and exercising my duty to reject actions that violate the U.S. Constitution and international law. I will not allow myself to be used as a tool for injustice or illegal wars. The more chaotic the world becomes, the more I recognize the importance of keeping a clear mind, staying well-informed, and holding true to my constitutional oath, unclouded by manipulation or fear.

4) I will defend our nation’s interests

I recognize that attacking peaceful allies would not only be a crime, it would also be strategically disastrous for our country. Alienating the Western world and turning the global community against us would leave us isolated in an era of cyberattacks and hybrid warfare, where strong partnerships are more vital than ever. It could disrupt global trade, trigger catastrophic economic fallout, force partners to seek new ties, and cripple our global influence and credibility, with no quick path to recovery.

5) I trust that I won’t be alone in defending the Constitution

I know that I’m not alone in keeping allegiance to my oath, but rather part of the overwhelming majority. No single person I know in our armed forces joined the service with the intention of attacking our allies. We are here to protect the U.S. Constitution and the sovereignty of our country. We made it our lives’ mission to defend freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, not to betray or fight against these founding principles of our nation. I will communicate with my trusted colleagues to ensure we share a common understanding that unprovoked military aggression against allied countries is unjustified and illegal.

I, a proud member of the U.S. military, won’t obey illegal orders to attack our allies. My actions are — and will remain — rooted in justice and honor. I will serve my country, but I will never abandon the principles that make it worth serving.

Learn more:

Why military action against Canada, Greenland or Panama would be illegal

Military members can be prosecuted for obeying illegal orders

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