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[quote=Anonymous]I believe that ordering an attack on Greenland would be an illegal order.  However, as a practical matter, I think we need to look at the broader context.  I believe that when we tell our soldiers they can and should disobey illegal orders, it is with the assumption that the government does not want them following illegal orders, that any such are given without their knowledge and authorization, and that higher authorities will protect the soldier from any repercussions from the officer who gave the order.  Unfortunately, in this case the orders would be coming from the President of the United States (1/3 of the government) who not only makes the initial orders, but as Commander-in-Chief outranks anyone who will be in charge of potential court martial proceedings and has the power to appoint, discipline, and reassign those personnel to achieve the outcome he desires.

Further, as a PP has suggested, if it is not clear where our limits are, the President could issue legal orders as a threat.  Greenlands entire population is 58,000 people and they rely on NATO (largely us) for defense.  According to Google, we sent 130,000 US troops (more than double the entire Greenland population) to Iraq in the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq.  Trump sending a large force of soldiers to our Greenland base for maneuvers and surrounding it with our entire naval fleet, including aircraft carriers, probably isn’t illegal.  But when the President calls and tells Greenland that he’s prepared to order their defenders to attack, their very (legal) presence is an unconscionable threat.

While I fully support the Congress have given the armed forces against following illegal orders, I think these steps are insufficient.  Trying to constrain Trump on an ad hoc basis is too risky.  I am urging my Representative and Senators to pass a bill prohibiting the President from attacking any allied country (it’s homeland, populace, or leadership) without Congressional authorization, making such orders illegal by statute.  This will make it clear to our soldiers that such orders are not to be obeyed and reassure our allies.[/quote]

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