Dear Member of U.S. Military, “Just Following Orders” Is No Excuse!

“JUST FOLLOW ORDERS?” YOUR DECISION*

If you are a member of the United States Armed Forces you may be faced with a life-altering decision. 

President Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act (quite possibly very soon), allowing him to deploy members of the U.S. military within the United States.

You could be asked to help round up American citizens or immigrant families for detention or deportatio— whether or not they have committed a crime. You could be ordered to the streets of American towns and cities to arrest U.S. citizens who are exercising their First Amendment rights to speak out for issues they care about — issues like health care, veterans benefits, protection of public lands, or Social Security.

What will you do?

You took an oath to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. What does it mean to fulfill that oath? What are the consequences if you do — or don’t? What impacts will your decision have on your life, your future, and your country?

Only you can answer these questions, but there is support.

You are not alone. You can ask questions and get confidential counsel about your rights and what you might risk. You will find support from veterans, attorneys, faith leaders, and others who will stand with you. To access these resources, do not use a government computer or phone. Reach out via secure encrypted means if possible.

Confidential resources:

1. Know Your Rights from the Military Law Taskforce. Download the booklet on your rights to speech and to dissent at nlgmltf.org/military-law/2025/us-military-know-your-rights-guide EMAIL: help@NLGMLTF.org PHONE (not texts): 619-463-2369

2. GI Rights. HOTLINE: 877-447-4487. The GI Rights Network answers calls from military personnel and their families. Confidential. GI Rights fact sheets are at girightshotline.org/en/military-knowledge-base

3. For Members of Security Forces: A Guide to Supporting Pro-Democracy Movements, from thehttps://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/blog_post/for-members-of-security-forces-a-guide-to-supporting-pro-democracy-movements/International Center for Nonviolent Conflict. Detailed options for resisting both within the military and as a veteran. 

Get informed: 

1. Veterans for Peace https://www.veteransforpeace.org

2. When can a soldier disobey an order warontherocks.com/2017/07/when-can-a-soldier-disobey-an-order/ `

3. The Posse Comitatus Act: brennancenter.org/our- work/policy-solutions/limiting-militarys-role-law- enforcement

Background on the Nuremberg defense (just following orders) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_orders

*Editor's Note: This was originally posted at World Beyond War, by Anonymous, April 21, 2025: https://worldbeyondwar.org/dear-member-of-u-s-military-just-following-orders-is-no-excuse/