A Military Loyal to Trump

How easily could a reelected President Trump bend the military to his will? We talk to Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic who taught military officers for 25 years, about this dangerous step in establishing a dictatorship. He explains how close Trump came to achieving these goals in his last term and how surprisingly few effective checks are in place. And Nichols talks about his personal nightmare scenario.
This episode was published Dec. 14, 2023
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[@StressRUs]

"...the lack of civic education in America in general...", says it all.

[@peacehunter26]

The lack of.civic education is why biden

[@msimon6808]

People don't understand that Democracy requires that people not be allowed to vote for Trump. Allowing votes for Trump will make America fascist. Anti-fascism requires he not be allowed on the ballot. Keeping people from voting for the candidate of their choice is how Russia avoids fascism.

[@danielwnorowski2553]

You can remove “civic”.

[@mjinba07]

And not just civic education, civic duty. 2020 saw the highest voter turnout of the 21st century and a full third didn't even bother. In addition, few would argue that using every strategy possible to minimize or avoid your taxes is culturally approved, as if we're a nation of 7 year olds.

[@mistiecantey1]

I agree. I’m appalled at how uninformed Republicans are.

[@Saturday8pm]

It only takes “A Few Bad Men”. 🇺🇸

[@bishop51807]

And for the good to do absolutely nothing.

[@spiloFTW]

like addicts born into money working for Ukrainian nazis?

[@worldadventuretravel]

*A Military Loyal to the U.S. Empire* -there you go, Atlantic, I fixed your title for you so it's actually factual... now explain Genocide Joe bombing the poorest brown country in the world for having the audacity to defend the second poorest brown country against a literal holocaust by their colonizers.

[@oystercatcher943]

If you think this can’t happen then think there are all ready countries where this has happened. A translation like this can totally happen even in the US

[@harrisnaturist]

The legitimacy of a constitutional democracy wholly rests upon the consent of those governed. If that consent breaks down, the remedies are dissolution or civil war. 600,000 (1.9% of the population) perished in our Civil War. Of our current population, that would equate to 6,251,000 dead. But that is only a hypothetical number; because of the density of our urban centers and the sophistication of our weapons, the toll would certainly be far higher, and that's assuming the war remained confined to North America. The most optimistic outcome would see the most prosperous society in history reduced to a smoldering ruin wholly at the mercy of its adversaries. We would have met the enemy, only to find that He is Us.

[@user-rr1jw9cz1u]

Because of that orange gangrenous pile of toxic waste!

[@mistiecantey1]

Sadly not hard to envision.

[@DuckDodgers69]

She is you

[@lawsonj39]

Not to mention the likelihood that foreign powers would get involved, backing one or another of the warring factions.

[@jfkst1]

@@lawsonj39 China and Russia would IMMEDIATELY back any secession. The conservatives will be isolationists much more so than the Marxist globalists so they would be much preferred. Not to mention, China and Russia despise modern leftist values.

[@FreddieVee]

Our system of checks and balances only worked in the past because people in our institutional bodies performed their functions. Today, all our institutional bodies will only check each other based on politics and allegiance to a powerful politician. When they all have the same political leanings ( or fears ), the wrong doer will not be checked.

[@Maggie-zr2ow]

And Project 2025 will make sure all government employees do not do their job for the American people but instead give their full allegiance to the Republican Party and whatever it wants.

[@Chereese0808]

Why doesn't the media ask t Rump how he feels about likely spending year's possibly decades (life) in prison. Don't ask him anything unless it's related to his unimaginable crimes. Every question should include his future incarcerated.

[@Pbav8tor]

T*R*U*M*P spells traitor. Why isn't he already in jail until those still missing documents are recovered? Mitch's corruption of the Judicial Branch has weakened the whole system.

[@cindypomerleau950]

Agreed. He should prepare to accept eventuality....because he definitely had trouble with reality.😊

[@PeterCheeksIsYourName]

Cope harder, BetaBritches? Your Daddy 45 becomes God Emperor 47 next November and you WILL BOW to Him! You will bow before Our Venerated and Beloved Orange Champion, you will prostrate yourself to the Heavens and then will give the Holy Orange Carrot a little kiss on the tip! You will do this in the spirit of self-preservation, of course. You will also do this because deep-down inside, you WANT to kiss that Carrot. You NEED to kiss that Carrot. 💯🤷🏾‍♂️😁

[@thunderousapplause]

They are not allowed to ask this question.

[@stickyfox]

I think he fears his Saudi/Russian financial backers much more than the DOJ. Their bill collectors use bone saws and poison instead of courts.

[@IHScoutII]

We all have that one co-worker, relative or neighbor that smiles, is friendly and goes to church often yet given the opportunity.....would choose a dictator over democracy if their beliefs are prioritized.

[@tbohn10]

Theocratic fascists

[@KR72534]

Only one?

[@allanmason3201]

The regular church attendance should be a red flag, especially if that church is one of the evangelical Christo-fascist ones. People who believe irrational stuff and voluntarily spend time every week listening to some (often self-appointed) arbiter of morality are naturally susceptible to populist, totalitarian and authoritarian politicians who spout simple solutions to complex problems.

[@DavidHRyall]

The current administration is the dictatorship

[@jsmith7701]

We have many hopelessly brainwashed NPC's who wouldn't have any thoughts at all if MSNBC didn't tell them what they believed every day. Sheep.

[@gooberclown]

14th Amendment Section 3. Trump is disqualified from political office in the United States.

[@adamgonzalez7450]

😂

[@adamgonzalez7450]

🤡

[@Saturday8pm]

… probably the easiest lines to digest in the whole of The Constitution. Yet witness all the lawyers getting tripped over these simple lines. Navel gazing at its very WORST. ✌️

[@ronmastrio2798]

@@Saturday8pm If Jan 6th is "insurrection" then congratulations you just disqualified every democrat who supported protests that did the same thing.

[@007kingifrit]

that has to be adjudicated in a criminal court

[@nomenclature9373]

A dicctator for a day is one day too long to be a dictator.

[@garybowler5946]

He will try it, he will like it, and he will be a dictator for life.

[@1247.cccccc]

Biden is unrestrained, numbnuts. He opened the border "on day one".

[@1247.cccccc]

What did you say about Biden's first executive orders? Dictator moves, obviously.

[@ubroc]

He didn't say he will be a dictator for 1 day, he said on day 1, which means he will be a dictator from day 1.

[@zapazap]

​@@ubrocI did not take him as saying that. The most natural colloquial reading of that, in my dialect, was his speaking (facetiously) to one day only. Of course YMMV. Cheers!

[@mikeyknox7897]

Please read “It can’t happen here” by Sinclair Lewis, from the 1930s

[@msimon6808]

"We have to save Democracy by not allowing people to vote for Trump." It is happening here.

[@jeffgiguere8599]

​@@msimon6808The 14th amendment states that you lose the right to hold office if you engage in insurrection or aid others who do.

[@erichbrough6097]

​@@msimon6808running for office is not a right under the Constitution. You must be qualified. In this case, voting for the unqualified results in, well, the dystopia that Tom Nichols describes.

[@msimon6808]

@@jeffgiguere8599 The implementing legislation says Insurrection is a criminal offense. Due Process requires a trial and conviction. There has been no such animal (ANYONE) for at least 4 years. There was no insurrection.

[@msimon6808]

@@erichbrough6097 Let me repeat. There was no insurrection. No one has been charged with such a crime. The implementing legislation the Constitution requires says Insurrection is a criminal offense. Due Process requires a trial and conviction. There has been no such animal (ANYONE) for at least 4 years. There was no insurrection. Dystopia is keeping the front runner off the ballot, Banana Republic style. Or even a competitor like they just did in Russia. Or people escorted from the building like they do in China. Joe been takin lessons. Obviously.

[@skeetermcswagger0U812]

True peace is not merely a lack of conflict as much as it is a pursuit of Justice for all that believe in the good of mankind

[@tbohn10]

A false peace, the quiet of fear. True peace will be known when justice is as well.

[@ronmastrio2798]

War is peace. Orwell would be proud.

[@tbohn10]

@@ronmastrio2798 its Martin Luther King, genius.

[@bricology]

National Guard officer here. The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of US military forces on US soil, except in very narrowly-defined circumstances, other than National Guard personnel. And in OCS we all had it thoroughly drilled into our heads how essential it is to refuse to follow (or issue) any Unconstitutional order, and we know the penalty for doing so. Any one of us would rather face courts-martial for siding with the Constitution than face reprimands from superior officers. We *will not* carry-out any Unconstitutional orders issued by Trump. *NO WAY.*

[@ericelsberry5585]

Trump isn’t going to send the military on the citizens. Joe Biden has threatened it several times. Obama tried too.

[@superclaymaster]

Everything has been shaken over the last 10 yrs. I hope you are right. I’m not optimistic.

[@DaveGIS123]

You are an honorable officer, Sir. But imagine if Trump creates a 'national emergency' and gives himself 'emergency powers' to suspend the Constitution 'temporarily'. It's happened before in other countries, where the head of government engineered an AUTOGOLPE to rule under emergency powers for as long as he wanted. I'm sure you, as an honorable officer, are a student of history. You can probably cite many self-coups from memory, both the failed ones and the successful ones. You know that Trump's attempted self-coup on January 6th only failed because of bad planning and bungling. Next time we might not be as lucky, Sir.

[@danielwnorowski2553]

I don’t believe this scenario is impossible, or even unlikely. He is quoting Hitler. He is plainly announcing he intends authoritarianism and vengeance. It’s either totalitarianism or jail for him. He is cornered and has nothing to lose, and everything to gain by becoming a dictator.

[@DefinitelyNotAMachineCultist]

@@reedwill953 Is _Mr. Orange_ legitimately a threat? I've friends on the right who don't have any issue with most of his specific domestic policies, like deregulation, tax cuts, etc. They don't even have an issue with most of his foreign policy decisions, like dropping the Iran deal. But they still say he's dangerous, and not for the reasons that lefties usually cite, i.e., hating right wing presidents in general. Policy-wise, he seems to resemble a 90s democrat more than anything else. Is some of his shadier rhetoric really more than just hot air? And was the January 'riot' more than just a riot where a large group of idiots clowned themselves?

[@asynchronicity]

Trump is now talking about leveraging the police similarly. The seriousness of the fascism from Trump is only intensifying.

[@Les537]

While biden arrests his political opponents... I don't know if you are this stupid or a bot. Clown world.

[@thimble347]

Your own personal definition of Fascism, of course.

[@asynchronicity]

@@thimble347 I don’t have a personal definition. Projection?

[@thimble347]

@@asynchronicity What is Fascism, then?

[@asynchronicity]

@@thimble347 Look it up. I don’t have a personal definition.

[@pithicus52]

Trump is a perfect example of why you don't elect a businessman as president. They are too used to telling their employees "Shut up and do as you're told."

[@Rockyzach88]

Capitalism is literally authoritarian in the workplace.

[@asynchronicity]

Exactly. “Run the country like a business” is core to fascism.

[@moviesynopsis001]

How was the economy when trump was running the country? How is the economy doing now lol?

[@wcstrawberryfields8011]

Yeah, remember all the journalists and whistleblowers Trump persecuted? Oh wait, that was Obama...

[@asynchronicity]

@@moviesynopsis001 Trump's flimsy economy wasn't so great after all, was it? Lol indeed.

[@ShineOnBenevolentSun]

Leadership is the one who shows, by example, whether the rules/ laws are to be followed. Whether empathy or cruelty is shown. Whether truth or lies are told. Etc. A criminal in the leadership position can only create a criminal organization.

[@Saturday8pm]

… and that’s precisely what we’ll get: A pay-to-play mafia gov’t, modeled after Putler’s. ✌️

[@silviavoss6411]

yup hence current concerns, so much over looking of corruption, double standards, hypocricy

[@ronmastrio2798]

Much like what Biden has done.

[@kimberlyim416]

@@ronmastrio2798sigh. WAKE UP. Biden isn’t doing this!!!!!

[@scotthullinger4684]

@@kimberlyim416 - Yes he is. Open your eyes. Are you BLIND? Are you seriously so stupid? Please demonstrate it some more - This is boundlessly entertaining.

[@foxxatexas]

I listened to this kind of stuff in _exactly_ the same verbiage, line of reasoning and order of operation in Caracas between 1995-1999, from journalists and military civilian "insiders" when Chavez decided to run and eventually took over and dismantled the last Venezuelan republic and disabled an up to that point functional democracy. Absolutely the same, this time just in English and with nuclear codes talk in the mix. I am not kidding, this is not a joke. I left 2003. Ended up here. The very thing Chavez did the first day: decreed a legally non-binding, but successful referendum about rewriting the constitution. That was it. That is the key. He is following a known script from an unexpected source.

[@alphabromega859]

go back

[@foxxatexas]

@@alphabromega859 Not to Venezuela, no. That country is destroyed by people who want their _own_ people out. You see them in hordes, btw, in the border down in Texas, in case you miss them. I guess you want _me_ to go out of this country, which is ok. Your kind is expected to populate this waves. If I lose my confidence on the US and actually I get convinced (as I was in the case of Venezuela way back in 2001) that this will be the opposite of "great", yes, I will probably leave. But I will survive. So, rejoice? I might leave. Maybe, to the oldest still standing democracy in the Americas (no coup d'etat since 1917 = Costa Rica) But I will place my vote here and will not leave sooner than January 20th 2025. Sorry for the bad news, you will need to wait a little longer than a year. Still, rejoice! interesting times indeed. Tick- Tock.

[@heightsofsagarmatha]

He's a leftist/socialist, the would-be dictators in US are almost all leftists as well

[@joestrat2723]

If there is one General Flynn out there, there's bound to be others. And Trump will dig them up if he wins again.

[@gregparrott]

He wouldn't need to 'find' obedient generals if he was AGAIN able to appoint totally unqualified individuals (e.g. Jared Kushner, Jeffrey Clarke, etc.)

[@user-rr1jw9cz1u]

That pos has gotten away with multiple crimes. His brother is still in the service, likely helping on Jan 6!

[@maddeusdoggeus1]

I was thinking exactly the same thing… 4th Generation volunteer veteran… I was in denial at first about how many were buying into trump’s cult bs but I have literally been heartbroken by the numbers that have been slow boiled by the likes of Fox “News”. I remember that’s all they played at the chow halls…. Except for The Price is Right ofcourse. Unfortunately I also believe that it would take that many loyalist at the top to do some real damage to Our Armed Forces.

[@jabbermocky4520]

His brother was still sitting pretty in the Pentagon last time I checked. Mike Flynn should be reinstated and busted down, sent to the brig for life. But his brother won't let that happen on "his watch", no matter what Mike does. They are peas in a pod.

[@WarrenHolly]

We'll! His brother is still in position. I believe he is the reason help was slow coming on J6.

[@tonynunez6539]

He sounds very passionate and concerned. Based on my over 42 years experience with the military he is not concerned enough. The situation is much worse. The military only cares about loyalty. That is why they have such a high suicide rate. We have many like Trump in the military.

[@veramae4098]

Sometimes art imitates life, or predicts it. This may sound silly, but remember the scene where Captain Steve Rogers / America is speaking over the loudspeakers, don't launch the killer machines? One Joe Nobody, (great acting) full of fear, refuses to launch although there's a gun to his head. "Captain's orders," he says.

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

That's what happens when you run a nation that lets the wealthy and corporations make up all the rules and leaves the working class poor and ignorant. When education and social support is gutted because rich assholes dont like paying taxes. A nation of the uninformed is most dangerous to itself.

[@stevereal-]

Courage brothers and sisters! Courage! Let’s push back every step of the way!

[@ericelsberry5585]

Trump 2024!

[@stevereal-]

@@ericelsberry5585 See you in the gulag

[@erichbrough6097]

​@@ericelsberry5585so, I gotta live in Russia 2.0 in 2025. Citizen, *please!*🤦‍♂️

[@uriahheep5665]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣nope!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣@@ericelsberry5585

[@UberLummox]

. VOTEVOTEVOTE💙!!!!!

[@michaelhayes3627]

Spot On!!!

[@msimon6808]

Trump is to be feared. We can't allow an honest vote. This is a Democracy. The people must decide it is not Trump. If they don't decide that, we will disqualify him. There is nothing more Democratic and anti-fascist. Ask Putin.

[@TimStandridge-ec2nh]

As an enlisted veteran it concerns me that this guy thinks we would just carry out orders no matter what they are. It struck me as he assumes enlisted members have no brains and just blindly follow orders. Enlisted members have to swear the same oath to the Constitution as anyone else. Part of being a good enlisted member is knowing not to follow unlawful orders. You have a duty to refuse an unlawful order. It came across like this guy assumes if the top general or admiral signs off on attacking US civilians all the officers it goes through would also sign off and then enlisted members would carry it out. I highly doubt all those people in that chain will carry out that order.

[@Keemo_Sabe]

It’s not hard to understand. It’s simple as hell. It’s obvious to the most casual observer. How could you say it’s hard to understand.

[@user-rr1jw9cz1u]

Hard to grasp the magnitude and the ignorance, stupidity & gullibility of our fellow humans.

[@zapazap]

There are many casual observers. Are you claiming that it is obvious to all of them?

[@generessler6282]

As a retired officer with 36 years in service this is my nightmare. This explanation is NOT the hype or click bait that compromises 98% of Trump discussion. It's spot on. Thanks.

[@scotthullinger4684]

Feel free to explain to us how you might believe Democrats honor the military. By doing what ... ?

[@tonynunez6539]

I served over 42 years before I could not take it anymore and was forced to retire. You are correct to be worried.

[@tonynunez6539]

​@@scotthullinger4684by defending the Constitution and living up to the oath we all take. Very few Republicans respect that oath. It's like the medical oath to do no harm. Just a formality.

[@scotthullinger4684]

@@tonynunez6539 - Which woke element of the military converted you to the dark side? And if you found it SO very distasteful ... then why the hell did you spend all of 42 YEARS in the military?

[@scotthullinger4684]

@@tonynunez6539 - Your claim is bullshit, of course. You can't even give me examples of when Republican presidents supposedly did NOT follow the Constutution, and instances of when Democrats DID follow the Constitution? Not only presidents, but the idiots who who elect such Democrats. You know, the people who do everything possible to abolish the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Freedom of speech is barely hanging by a thread in this day and age ...

[@nielspemberton59]

I go YIKES @ the possibility that 60 % of the US military would follow the US Constitution and decency but 40 % would not. This would result in a broken military. Do we really want this as Trump's legacy of his 2nd term (I hope he does not get a 2nd term?) Our adversaries would LOVE this !

[@SamtheIrishexan]

That would result in civil war. The military follows orders. It would not institute attacks on America just like its not helping Biden with his tyrrany.

[@Saturday8pm]

… they already are. Putler has called Chump a “genius”. ✌️

[@ronmastrio2798]

@@Saturday8pm Why does "Putler" only invade Ukraine when a democrat is in office? Surely he'd want to do it when his supposed best friend is in office?

[@jukebox_heroperson3994]

I'm more worried about the woke and just generally subpar officer corp and the fact that because of it, recruitment is down a hell of a lot.

[@henryjimenez4710]

@@Saturday8pm This guy has no idea what he's talking about. He's making shit up.

[@grittyfaithgrittyfacts]

Thank you for gassing up this "nightmare fuel" scenario in my mind. 😳😳😳😳😳

[@tonynunez6539]

Your conscience is rightfully concerned.

[@jukebox_heroperson3994]

Trump 2024.

[@007kingifrit]

that's what the media tries to do, scare you to keep you watching

[@tonynunez6539]

@@jukebox_heroperson3994 definitely for prison. The question is how many years will he get.

[@phillylifer]

Hannity is cool with being a historical laughing stock

[@RamonRodriguez-hq7vn]

This Trump era is Deja Vu for my graduating semester, back in June of 1982. We were having government class, and I asked the teacher. What is preventing a general, from taking over the country ? She asked me, "What do you think ?" Then I asked back, "I don't know, I'm asking you ?" She couldn't answer that question. She changed the topic.

[@RamonRodriguez-hq7vn]

@@tbohn10 She didn't even say that, she couldn't answer the question. Sometimes I get some premonitions, years or weeks before it happens.

[@erichbrough6097]

I immediately flash on a certain Al Haig. 🤦‍♂️

[@1247.cccccc]

You both sound under equipped.

[@jimward204]

The danger signs have been all around us for quite some time. In the early 1930s we had The Bankers Revolt which would have resulted in FDR being removed from office and an actual dictator taking power. Prescott Bush (the name should be very familiar) was one of those bankers who faced no legal recriminations for their attempted coup, a coup foiled by the public statements by two-time Medal of Honor winner and retired General Smedley Butler. Rachel Maddow outlines in great detail in her excellent book, "Prequel" and her podcast, "Ultra", the attempted coup in the US by a large number of US Congressmen, Christian Nationalists and others in collusion with a Nazi spy in the US. Consider also the fact that a certain bank was still loaning Nazi Germany money until they were shut down by the US Government in 1942, AFTER the US had entered the war against Japan and Nazi Germany. Prescott Bush (there's that name again!) was a director of that bank. And then we had the very public assassination of JFK in Dallas, an event which sent shockwaves throughout America and beyond, shockwaves that immediately changed our domestic and foreign policy paths. RFK and MLK, Jr. were the next to be killed in very public assassinations in the late 1960s in furtherance of right-wing aims. The Vietnam War radicalized a large chunk of returning servicepeople who lost faith in the US Government. When Agnew was forced to resign as Nixon's VP in October 1973, Ford was named as the new VP in December 1973. But, prior to that event, US Army General Al Haig (US Army Vice-Chief of Staff and second in command of the Army) had replaced Haldeman as Nixon's Chief of Staff in May 1973. So, Haig was essentially running the White House from May 1973 until December 1973, reporting ONLY to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Thomas Moorer, who was later implicated in a White House spying operation. Think about that for a second...the US Military was in control of the US! Haig stayed in that position serving as Ford's Chief of Staff until August 1974. Moving on, how about right-wing military veteran and white supremacist Timothy McVeigh's bombing of the building in Oklahoma City in 1995 which resulted in the deaths of 168 people? The trial seemed to indicate that McVeigh acted alone as a lone-nut bomber, right?. Why did the military not do a deep dive into right-wing/fascist influences in the US military at that time? Why did they wait almost thirty years to conduct this investigation? I could go on, but right-wing/fascist/Christian nationalist movements have been simmering under the surface for quite some time.

[@Saturday8pm]

Exactly. It’s clear that radical Republicans took JFK out for being “weak on Communism”. Now we have had a guy in The Hot Seat who openly appeased one of Communism’s former officers. Why not return that favor? ✌️

[@catherinewilson1079]

Interesting history. Thank you. I believe Bush should actually be spelled Busch!

[@LordandGodofYouTube]

You need to better educate the voting public before you persecute the people they are voting for. If most people understood the level of influence that donors and lobbyists actually had they would never vote for the major parties. Democracy is no longer a thing until we reform political donations (which are just legalized bribery). We need to force our representatives to represent us, not the people who paid for their advertising campaign, because everyone's vote should be equal no matter what your net worth is. You shouldn't shape society just because you have more money than someone else.

[@totostamopo]

Amen! The problem here is that folks get into congress and get totally swept away with the money and power and we go out the window. It's a pickle especially when the Supreme Court is the main culprit in codifying and escalating this. Heaven help us! Happy New Year.

[@iamme9138]

One thing that gives me hope? During the cold war There were a couple of incidents on both the Russian and US sides where orders to launch Were not carried out by the lowly soldier tasked to do it😇 Of course AI has no conscience, no reason to hesitate or have doubt.😕

[@tbohn10]

Metal Gear!?

[@MrSpasticdancer]

we can't rely on that being the only safegaurd. we wont be lucky every time.

[@iamme9138]

@@MrSpasticdancer no, but I don't think any of us expected That US or Russian soldiers would not push the button. Heck the Soviets gave one of their guys a medal for "not pushing button!" And I thought he was going to be shot for sure😆. I think the only safe nuclear weapons, are those that don't exist!

[@MrMZaccone]

There was no such incident on the U. S. side and such an assertion just demonstrates that you don't know how that system actually works.

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

@@MrMZaccone are we the baddies?

[@michaelwilliams7907]

AND AND HE USED TO SAY - THE COPS ARE WITH ME. THE BIKERS ARE WITH ME. THE TRUCK DRIVERS ARE WITH ME - these are all all THREATS not too ME$$ WITH HIM

[@TaxTheChurches.]

I get tired of hearing Navy Seals are best of the best. BEST WHAT? The problem was running a political channel on every TV on base. As soldiers sit in waiting rooms, which they spend 80% of their time doing, they watched political opinion TV. This was a choice by someone high up, either to play Fox all day or to allow waiting rooms to run the waiters' favorite anger-causing shows.

[@DuckDodgers69]

I noticed that also, I think it started right after 9-11

[@henryjimenez4710]

@@DuckDodgers69 No, combat MOS's are overwhelmingly conservative. Always been that way. I was in Special Warfare units back in the late 80's early 90's. The only Democrats in service were paper pushers sitting behind a desk.

[@waynemiller6775]

Ban Fox from military bases.

[@iamme9138]

All government.🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲

[@007kingifrit]

first amendment

[@iamme9138]

@@007kingifrit get real. By banning Fox on Military bases, what I mean by that is that it would be banned from general broadcasting, like in the public areas. Not banning it's private use. So no longer would the Anti-American messaging be in the background all the time.Just like we don't allow Russian or Chinese Gov propaganda to be played...

[@lantrick]

@@007kingifrit " Fire!!!! "

[@heightsofsagarmatha]

Ur talking about banning media but think the other side are the tyrants. Ok

[@IFKY]

WOW. This should be required listening for everyone, regardless of how you feel about Trump. This is one of best, most succinct explanations on this issue that I've heard.

[@jillfeatherman5523]

Required listening so everyone can know what kooks you all are?

[@robertlee8805]

I agree with you. But. Trump's followers are hooked line and SINKER. And those Followers ate the ones who will vote out their Representatives and Senators out of office and vote in the YES generals to obey TRUMP'S commands. You've seen Trump's followers in the Jan. 6th. There were law enforcement officers and former and current military members following Trump's orders.

[@paulomilan515]

His base isn't gong to listen to this.

[@1247.cccccc]

@@paulomilan515 Congratulations, you are suffering from a media lobotomy.

[@jimdandy8996]

Yeah, everyone who is a sheeple.

[@knowendsports84]

Trump is too stupid to become a dictator but he’s leaving the blueprint for a would-be dictator who is smart and competent enough to do so.

[@msscoutshadow]

I agree that he is NOT of high enough intellect. He is being backed by Russia or China or both! This is only thing that makes sense.

[@alistairlacaille]

We thought he was too stupid the first time and came within a hair's breadth of disaster... Are you comfortable rolling the dice a second time? He doesn't need to be that smart. All he has to do is be charismatic enough to sway smart people with less than ideal motivations to his cause - a thing that's he's already shown he is capable of doing. Sycophants are not hard to find when you already have them lining up behind you. The fact that he's still even in the conversation at all after how spectacularly his first attempt at autocracy failed should be all the indication needed to be worried.

[@tylerian4648]

1 minute in and this channel has already taken a quote out of context.

[@007kingifrit]

really should be illegal to do that

[@chainslayer101]

I feel like I'm watching the rise of hitler, but in English when it comes to donald trump. I do see the forces going against him and it does give me hope that one day we can get past this, and finally start getting humanity on the right track to a future that respects our planet and respects life in general, then we can start looking to the cosmos to spread the love and caring that mankind is very capable of. Love you all

[@jillfeatherman5523]

“and finally start getting humanity back on the right track…that respects life in general….to spread love and caring to mankind”….but let’s not have any limitations on abortion. Screw that unborn life.🙄

[@DennisMoore664]

@@jillfeatherman5523 It's only extremists that argue for no limitations of abortion unlike the many on the Right who will make a woman carry products of rape and molestation or nonviable fetal tissue even if it costs the woman the ability to have more children in the future and puts their life in danger like just happened in Texas.

[@DCGreenZone]

Don't you wish he was in his 30's or 40's?

[@leagarner3675]

@@jillfeatherman5523 Ah, the great unborn. America's demographic that can kill and maim without being capable of commiting a crime. Hmm, maybe we should change that. Let's charge a fetus with attempted murder the next time a woman's pregnancy threatens her life. That would be at least a half million per year. Can't do that so they are above the law. If the fetus does kill its mother it's depriving it's siblings of their parent with no repercussions. Seems like the fetus has more rights than anyone else.

[@johnstallings4049]

​@@jillfeatherman5523aww did you lose your trumpy 🐻? Keep Abortion Legal Ur only preventing SAFE Abortion! ❤😶💙

[@iamme9138]

Duh, Fox managed to get their propaganda played on virtually all Us Military Installations, over and over

[@lseh4720]

Thank you for this episode. :-)

[@cgaud1n69]

Thanks for scaring the shit out of me. I realize this discussion is necessary, but I am utterly depressed right now. No question in my mind Trump would do this.

[@Bonnie-rj2jz]

I'm terrified right along with you. The very thought of another trump administration is the most frightening thing we as a great nation are facing. And we must not allow this. Not now. Not ever.

[@catherinewilson1079]

@@Bonnie-rj2jzMe too you guys! And I am not American but Canadian.

[@Bonnie-rj2jz]

@@catherinewilson1079 Oh, Catherine.. I've heard SO many lovely things about our neighbors to the North. My parents traveled up our western coastline, all the way to Alaska on what my mom described as one of her most favorite cruises/air trips they ever took!! She said the Canadians they met not only on their cruise, but in the cities they traveled were warm, inviting and wonderfully hospitable. Back before Vancouver took off as a not only a wonderful destination for travelers, but a delightful city in which to relocate, I considered moving there. This was many years ago, after living across our entire country and now I'm finding myself at 60 (😲) and relocated instead back to my home state of sunny Florida. I found that as much as I could brave temps in Bozeman, MT of -40 wind chill, I was in my 20's then and these days my poor, tired, arthritic hands and shoulders just can't tolerate the cold!! Florida (especially S Florida) has become a mecca for those many New Yorkers and other Northern state residents, who not only relocated here, but brought their Republican votes with them. It breaks my heart to see how my once BLUE state is now being led by a racist, LGBTQ+ hating, book banning, truly disgusting governor and his RED administration. That trump and his 3 gross offspring has made my state their permanent residence only pours salt into what is a huge open wound. Our only hope is for Florida Democrats to STEP UP and offer better choices, such as Jared Moskowitz (sp?) to serve as our representatives, senators and governor. Many, many thanks to you and our neighbors in Canada to be so concerned for our country and the horrific path on which we are finding ourselves being forced to possibly accept. The abortion issue/women's rights being snatched away is only the first in what will be the horrible fall-out we'll suffer. With the crazier-than-LOONS, conspiracy theory loving MAGA cultists and their Hitler wannabe leader, trump, and the plans he has in store for the United States has become a terrifying reality. I can only pray that we sane Americans will come together in November 2024 and cast their BLUE votes for another incredibly productive 4 years, with Joe Biden continuing to lead us toward our goal to have freedom for ALL in this democratic experiment. The WORLD is watching us, folks!! Please do not let them down!! Catherine, I wish you, your loved ones and fellow Canadians a beautiful, healthy and happy New Year!! 😊 🇺🇸 💙

[@jukebox_heroperson3994]

The left is fearing you into their own fascism, trying to exclude those who actually are with the people.

[@chrissynagel2998]

A unlawful order in the military is a unlawful order. Period. It does not matter in the military what rank that higher rank is. The military will split. This guy has never served. Period. Our respect is ours alone. This guy has no idea how well ranks all the way down to private would utterly revolt against an unlawful order. Enlisted do not hold officers in high regard at all. His insight is flawed. It is downright insulting to believe the majority of the military would back a dictator.

[@stevevalkos6308]

a military loyal to Cadet Burnspurs - ridiculous

[@Saturday8pm]

“Gen” Flynn, anyone? ✌️

[@ronmastrio2798]

Yeah they'd rather be loyal to a guy like Biden who wants to send them off to die in a new war every few months

[@AAA-0]

@@Saturday8pmI can’t believe Flynn’s name wasn’t mentioned in this commentary.

[@snowmonster42]

This is something that worried me almost from the beginning. As I understood it, Trump gave lots of orders, some that were clearly unlawful, and others that weren't clearly unlawful, but would have terrible consequences. It's harder to wade through the ethics of this. Even in the responsible media there was lots of talk about whether Tillerson, Mattis, and the other guy (whose name I temporarily can't remember) were doing the right thing by not showing him papers or getting him to forget about some of his more outrageous schemes. Trump didn't seem to know the difference between a terrible idea and an unlawful order, and thank goodness he didn't, otherwise we might not have made it through his first term with or democracy intact.

[@reeveetalk1907]

Sounds like you should be arming yourself and buy a gun

[@anony_mouse1]

The problem is all our fault for allowing the Patriot Act and allowing American presidents to have the power of indefinite detainment over anyone.

[@snowmonster42]

@@anony_mouse1 That's certainly a problem, but I don't think it affects Trump either way, He's going to do whatever he wants if he is reelected. If it's not legal, he and his goons will find a way to make it legal.

[@anony_mouse1]

@@snowmonster42 it's actually legal though to do horrible things. The Patriot Act says the president can lock anyone up for any reason indefinitely without charges. And the Insurrection Act grants the president the authority to deploy the U.S. military domestically and use it against Americans.

[@snowmonster42]

@@anony_mouse1 Right. That's exactly why I posted that comment and it's one of the points the guest was trying to make. Our system is absolutely structured on the notion that the people who run the government are basically ethical people who are going to work to the benefit of our country and have at least some commitment to the idea that they have to act in the interests of as wide a swathe of the American people as possible. The instant you have someone whose not even willing to pretend to do that, the whole system starts to crumble pretty quickly. And you're right that the Patriot Act is terrible and shouldn't have been passed. To some extent you're comparing apples and oranges here, because the Patriot Act is civil law, not exactly military law. But also, of course I agree with you, this is the exact point I was trying to make. If a soldier is given an unlawful order, he or she is legally obligated to recognize it as such and refuse to follow it. But military personnel can be given a whole lot of heinous orders that are perfectly legal, and what happens then?? As I said above, about a year into his administration I was starting to feel pretty sure that Trump's ignorance about the government was one of the only things that saved us even in his first term. Trump kept issuing illegal orders because he was too arrogant to realize that there's more than one way to skin a cat -- it was his way or no way. But Stephen Miller and Roger Stone and Steve Bannon and anyone else still following Trump knows very well that that there is more than one way to approach a problem and they definitely know better than to issue illegal orders that staff can just ignore. If he's re-elected, we are truly screwed. Our only hope will be that he'll care most about enriching himself and will get tired of being president once he's richer than all of his friends.

[@jpsmith9452]

This Trump fever dream episode is particularly delicious.

[@longhairdontcare122]

2024 will be huge a big big year in America for real Americans. God bless.

[@Steakfrie]

It's astonishing that anyone in the military could retain any loyalty or support to a man that showed such open, egregious disrespect for those that served. The principles of honor, duty, sacrifice and patriotism are entirely inaccessible to him unless it's for his exclusive benefit.

[@Steakfrie]

@@passurlamer Suckers and "what was in it for them" - proving my statement above. When he said "I prefer those that weren't captured", he let the entire military know he'd make little to no effort at rescue for those that were under his watch. It flew completely over his head that McCain wasn't a hero for being captured but after being given the opportunity to leave, he chose to stay and endure torture instead of abandoning his fellow soldiers. It's a testament to how dark and vacant Trump's soul is.

[@stickyfox]

Conservative values go hand-in-hand with toxic masculinity and the nouveau cowboy lifestyle. Oakleys, pickup trucks, Kid Rock. I stood at parade rest listening to Lee Greenwood at so many changes of command and award ceremonies, I know the song better than Lee does. Kids join the military and see a fairer paycheck than anyone in their family ever earned, and they get the impression that "hard work is all it takes." It really is much more exhausting than any road march or APFT I ever experienced.

[@zapazap]

Loyalty and support ate two things. Another is obedience to lawful orders from your commander.

[@zapazap]

​@@passurlamerI've known some with bone spurs. They are debilitating

[@stickyfox]

@@zapazap We still have to spend a lot of time talking about things like My Lai and Gitmo. It's hard for some people to stay on the right side of the line.

[@Uarehere]

I'd like to see a government loyal to the constitution. Hasn't happened yet, but a guy can hope...

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

Since we aren't following it, how about the 24 presidential election is decided by a viking axe death duel?

[@Jack_Callcott_AU]

America needs someone who's a little bit stern to help pull the country together. Personally I think it is a mess. The military must be loyal to the president; he is the Commander in Chief. It seems silly to say the military must be loyal to the constitution; of course they must be loyal to the constitution, but it's the constitution that makes the president their Commander in Chief, so they must be subordinate to him. 🦘🦘🦘

[@allanmason3201]

@@Jack_Callcott_AU *"America needs someone who's a little bit stern to help pull the country together."* Do you have any understanding at all of the history of Germany in the years following WWI? What you say here is _exactly_ what people said about Hitler. They looked at the chaos of the Weimar Republic (partially stoked by the Nazis - so another parallel there), and longed for a strong leader who would sort it all out for them.

[@veramae4098]

General Milley was very upfront about his loyalty to the Constitution and how he reinforced it down the line. (He was Chief of the Joint Chiefs.) Weren't you paying attention? The new guy, General C.Q. Brown Jr., I haven't heard much about him.

[@Jack_Callcott_AU]

@@allanmason3201 I am not an expert historian, but of course I am familiar with that period of history. Comparing Donald Trump with Adolf Hitler is just an analogy, and Americans have pushed it too far, and that analogy has caused mischief . The opponents of Trump have said that they have the right to use "any means necessary" to defeat him because he is a "danger to our democracy". The liberals call Trump an "authoritarian"; I don't think so. Hitler invaded other countries. Trump did not. Hitler passed anti-Jewish laws, whereas Trump is pro-Jewish and a friend of Israel. I could go on. When the never-Trumpers defame Trump they are describing a man who does not exist. What I meant was: if someone, a leader, acts firmly in accord with the law and his democratic mandate, that is not authoritarianism, but rational authority. 🦘🦘🦘 BTW, the kangaroos signify that I am reporting from far-off Australia.

[@dylaningle3113]

Only takes one day. Just proclaim your self as king.

[@benjaiboy]

scary sh*t

[@jeffschroeder4805]

If the only option available to officers is to resign when given an unlawful order, the officers remaining will be those consenting to do so. Donald Trump would not likely see that as a problem.

[@kinlika]

Mike Flynn... Bannon.... Kash Patel .... Stephen Miller... Compared to these Trump is Mary Poppins

[@lovman]

Americans develop contingency plans all the time. It is now time to develop a contingency resistance plan in the event Trump becomes POTUS again. Consider and plan for all scenarios.

[@Saturday8pm]

Canada is. If this goes down, they’ll have their own “Southern Border Migrant Crisis”. Besides, I LOVE maple syrup. ✌️

[@ronmastrio2798]

@@Saturday8pm I thought you bozos already left in 2016.

[@sethrocket1523]

Unfortunately, voter stupidity is at an alltime high. So it is possible to end up with a second term with trump. This country, nor the world, will survive that. Trump left the country in turmoil his last presidency (much like he did with his companies and marriages) and this time we will spiral downhill to the point of no return. Vote blue!! ✊🏾✊🏾

[@Saturday8pm]

… yet voters don’t appreciate Biden’s return to normalcy. It must be a heavy lift to clean up after Chump’s messes and Joe needs to tell us what he’s done there, because it could only help his flagging support. Much too much hay has been made of Biden’s competency, mental or otherwise. His competency should be compared to Chump’s obvious psychopathy. ✌️ ✌️

[@joeschneider3894]

Greatest US economy we’d ever seen. Black unemployment was at the lowest rate in US history and for the first time black wage growth was growing faster than white wages. Neither Russia nor China were threatening to invade anyone, let alone doing it. Peace treaties were being signed in the Middle East. North Korea was opening its doors to the US and peace with South Korea and halted its nuclear weapons program and firing test missiles, Mexico and other south and Central American countries were starting to work with the U.S. to deal with migration issues, other NATO countries were starting to take more responsibility in maintaining global order… 🙏🏻 Everyone pray we’re never forced to revisit this catastrophic period of time 😂😂😂

[@anchorsaweigh9893]

Not a fan of Trump but I fail to see how Biden is better…….

[@catherinewilson3880]

Biden is not a fascist. If you can't tell the difference between Biden and Trump, then I suggest you get yourself a decent history book and read it.

[@rogertheartfuldodger]

@@anchorsaweigh9893: You can't really be that obtuse.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

I am worried about a second term being even worse than the first. I think he will stop at nothing and will have less resistance in his way then there was the first time. He will use the military to put down peaceful protest. He will call all protest against him violent. I can't believe anyone really wants this dangerous bastard back in power, but here we are.

[@Fzane-mn8fh]

Well the only good thing is that time is on our side and not Trumps. Unlike Hitler who was 43 when he came to power Trump is almost 80 and not in good health. Time IS NOT on his side!!!

[@rosslongfield2685]

What you and all of us need to understand is that it is not just Trump, but a strongly organized and committed conservative group (and this is coming from me, a life-long republican) that has been working for years to transform our judiciary and other institutions into the authoritative vision they desire. Trump is exactly the figurehead they want. The changes that would be made under his presidency would transform our society far beyond his lifetime.

[@terrycavanaghalpineexpress4656]

It's so interesting to hear you speculate about Trump establishing an authoritarian government when that's exactly what we have RIGHT NOW!

[@kimberlycooper3897]

He is stupid enough to set off a nuclear war….

[@uriahheep5665]

He's certainly trying for a civil war. He'd never nuke Putin..

[@henryjimenez4710]

He's was the only president in the modern era that did not get us into any conflicts. Conversely Biden has us at the brink of war. You've been listening to propaganda for so long you don't know what's real anymore.

[@Saturday8pm]

That’s EXACTLY what he’ll blunder us into. ✌️

[@007kingifrit]

@@Saturday8pm that's what you liars said in 2016,....and it never happened, he never caused any nuclear war INFACT he was the only president in your lifetime to NOT start any new wars

[@wallraven55]

The media that cried fascist.

[@TheBattleblaster]

This country is full of hypocrites

[@guillermoelnino]

Would I prefer the military be loyal to those who have been actively destroying it for over 100 years?

[@alexanderchenf1]

Trump's presidency says otherwise.

[@om617yota8]

Play the whole quote at the beginning. It was selectively edited. You're lying by omission.

[@007kingifrit]

this should be illegal

[@erichoppe8228]

A 2nd Trump administration will see a come back of Mike Flynn!

[@danmcgov123]

Finally, someone is talking about the most dangerous scenario with Trump. Besides the federal military, I'm concerned the same Trump-friendly behavior could apply to local law enforcement agencies.

[@nancy6262]

I love this and every article you write

[@tarabartee3424]

When Trump spouts these ideas, you have to take him seriously and literally. He means it. He will act on it. There will be no going back. Vote blue up and down the ballot. Please. Please.

[@1247.cccccc]

You must have a mental problem. Did Biden cause you to complain when he signed his orders on "day one"? The Atlantic is embarrassing.

[@johnstallings4049]

@@1247.cccccc aww did you lose your trumpy 🐻?

[@1247.cccccc]

@@johnstallings4049 Nice argument. The Atlantic stokes fear and the irrational outrage of the moron class in America. Evidence: All Presidents issue executive orders 'on day one'. No concerns have been raised about the Biden orders that have had a profound effect on "immigration" by the same people that are promoting the 'Dictator Trump' nonsense.

[@ericelsberry5585]

Oh yeah. That works.

[@Bonnie-rj2jz]

​@@ericelsberry5585 Voting BLUE has given us an excellent President in Joe Biden. Not only was he challenged to clean up behind the mess trump left, he did so successfully AND just look at the magnitude of positive issues his admin has done for the American people. None of what your God and cult leader promised in his first term came about. He stacked the SCOTUS and takes 100% credit for setting women's right to have control over their own body back tenfold.

[@robertmcculloch9443]

My experience is 30%-40% of individuals will response positively to Trumps repetitve messages regardless of education, age, professional credentials, experience, etc. Being a Nobel prize winner doesn't make an difference. It pushes a button. Something deep. Deep down, in my opinion, it is racism. Then there is the ambition legislators, which is usually limitless.

[@BD-uw1kq]

WRONG, Educated people very rarely fall for obvious scams. Your "experience" must be extremely limited.

[@robertmcculloch9443]

John Eastman comes to mind. Michael Flynn (a retired general). Countless lawyers. My Representative Tim Burchett whom I know (complete transformation). They list would be endless. I get around a lot. Many, many very smart relatives and friends. I think my experience is very common.

[@leagarner3675]

Yes, I agree. Its probable that at any time in US history, there is about 30% of the US population that would not vote for the Constitution if given that option. And there are moments periodically when it would not pass even Congress. The unique situation is the rise to power of a demogogue. We need to disqualify him from running.

[@LMM7880]

@@BD-uw1kq How can you say that when most of the republican representatives in congress support the dictator. I think a few of them have a university degree no?

[@chiapagringa]

There's a lot of anger beside hate(racism)in his words. Whether rich, poor, intelligent, or ignorant...why are his followers so freakin angry??? And why do they support a guy who will be convicted of crimes???

[@jimcypher]

Deplorable!

[@thinkitthrough8555]

Suddenly the system will honor ethics?? Yuh, right.

[@AlexHop1]

Thank you!

[@jonathanlax734]

Watch out for the officers at the major levels and directly above; they are the ones who historically tend to mutiny against civilian control.

[@007kingifrit]

you have no knowledge of coups at all, studies show a successful coup typically enlists lower ranking officers as they have more to gain

[@Grundewalt]

autocracy, fascism, geez, how low MAGA can go...

[@Saturday8pm]

All the way. ✌️

[@Grundewalt]

And some...Digging power equippement needed@@Saturday8pm

[@BoliceOccifer]

More like: How low can your perception of them go? Or even more accurately: How bad can your understanding of the words "Autocracy" and "Facism" get?

[@7QHook]

Military loyal to Trump? It wasn't during his time in office, it almost revolted against him for his peacenik ways. Why will it be different when he is elected in 2024?

[@howard5992]

Trump was exceptionally disrespectful of the military. So there is that. Trump also was also pretty clueless militarily. Prior to leaving office he had to be restrained from bombing Iran. The guy is a loose cannon.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Well, one thing is certain- the military requires MONEY and PAYCHECKS, we CUT OFF either or both and it will basically collapse- the military needs ALL OF US funding it every hour of every day 365 days a year.

[@7QHook]

@@howard5992 "Prior to leaving office he had to be restrained from bombing iran" Are you seriously trying to sell the belief that DC shuns war and Trump wanted wars of the sort that neocons really want? Seriously? You live in a false reality.

[@astrofpv3631]

peacenik ways - like when he droned that Iranian general or when he sent in the cia to coup Venezuela or when he increase drone strikes over 400% or when he continued to bomb syria and steal the oil or when he pardoned war criminals

[@7QHook]

@@astrofpv3631 peacenik as in he blocked the plan to do to Syria what was done to Iraq and Libya - "Assad must go" was the mantra for years leading up to HRC's expected coronation, until Trump won. "sent in the CIA" sure. The CIA doesn't even listen to Presidents that they like let alone someone like Trump, not a chance that Trump had any influence on what the CIA planned to do.

[@mjinba07]

Leadership isn't the only key in the military - what does the average serviceman or woman make of their oath and their honor if the President's breach of oath is officially sanctioned by him sitting again after Jan. 6, and all the other unconstitutional behavior he promises? And after Trump, should he sit again, how well will our country function and what direction will it take after he's had another round of loading appointments? Without overlooking the co-occurrence of climate change, population movements, the likelihood of future pandemics, and other global disruptions.

[@Saturday8pm]

Chump and The GoP ABSOLUTELY used the shock of The Pandemic to usurp Democracy and they’re still doing it. ✌️

[@ronmastrio2798]

I wonder how much unconstitutional behaviour Abraham Lincoln did.

[@mjinba07]

@@ronmastrio2798 You could always look up what Abraham Lincoln did.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

The eyes of the free world are on Amefica. Does the rule of law matter to America or not?

[@WA_S_S_AW]

The military swears an oath to protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign or domestic.

[@grandmabea6471]

The German military swore an oath to the Weimar Republic too- an oath they frequently flouted and ignored, and the German officer caste helped Hitler into power even though most of them expressed distaste for him personally. It's unsettling to see this in the modern USA.

[@WA_S_S_AW]

@@grandmabea6471 Ain’t that the truth. Let’s hope the oath our military has been taking for over 150 years holds.

[@randybaggett5032]

Only insurrectionist need or ask for Immunity.

[@zapazap]

I know of non insurrectionists that have been given immunity.

[@BoliceOccifer]

Impressive like/dislike ratio currently 1.8k/1.3k

[@robertahauck6804]

Plan B, learning Spanish.

[@Sandra-ph1zy]

Right now, we have two big problems. What will we do to combat trump's, "guard the vote thugs" from frightening voters into not voting? What will we do when trump claims the election was stolen in 2024?

[@silviavoss6411]

lets hope dems don't mess with votes as they did before, I've seen blatant video's that speak clarity and show wrong doing, stop projecting!!

[@iDigress77times]

Disobeying an unlawful order is tricky. Cause if you follow it you get in trouble but if you don’t follow it and it is later found that it was lawful then you still get in trouble for not following it.

[@1247.cccccc]

Such as accept this injection or leave.

[@joelsommers]

@@1247.cccccc For as long as we've had vaccinations, we have had requirements that our service men and women get vaccinated. A departure from that protocol would be in contrast to the vast majority of our military's history. If you join the service, following orders should be something you are able to do.

[@zapazap]

I don't know if vaccinations in the military have ever been required on such dubious grounds. Though what difference that makes I don't know.

[@joelsommers]

@@zapazap Not sure I understand. The covid19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and proven to keep people healthier and to provide better health outcomes. I don't know why any institution would consider that dubious.

[@bernardinemcmanus4126]

Is the delay in the Senate approving military positions for best part of a year, part of destabilising the old military system. New military leaders will be less established in their posts should Trump get in again??

[@briansimerl4014]

You get what you don't pay for.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Brilliantly presented.

[@DavidHRyall]

And all a total lie. They left are the new fascists. They are accusing trump of what they themselves are doing.

[@mikejohnson3338]

Trump responds to softball questions the way others respond to gotcha questions 🤠

[@kinlika]

Hannity : Blah blah blah...Dictator...Blah..Break the Law...blah blah Trump : All of the above...

[@jameswallace3963]

Well shouldn't Florida voters take this, among many other things, as a call to Duty and vote out these people

[@lawsonj39]

And Iowa, and Alabama, and South Carolina, and....

[@jfkst1]

Florida is infinitely more likely to secede than support Biden and the Marxists.

[@erichoppe8228]

The irony is that Trump was too afraid of being in the Vietnam war to be part of it. The ultimate Draft Dodger!!

[@jfkst1]

Clinton and Bush were draft dodgers as well. US Presidential tradition.

[@erichoppe8228]

@@jfkst1Your research was woefully lacking. Not all US presidents were actively draft dodgers! Not all President were in the military. Was Thomas Jefferson a draft dodger because he did not participate in the American Revolution? Was Abraham Lincoln in the military? Both George Bushes were military pilots. Sr was shot down by the Japanese. George Bush Jr was a 1st Lt with the 187th fighter wing of the Air Force National Guard. Bill Clinton was actively against the Vietnam War but he did not evade the war! He chose to let America come to draft him, but America did not. DJTrumpsky, however, did actively AVOID being drafted. Although he was characterized as being a sports crazed kid (he played football, baseball, soccer, and wrestled) when he reached the age of possibly being in the Vietnam War he developed (bone spurs) and paid a wacko imitation doctor for a letter freeing him from the dangers of war!

[@jfkst1]

@@erichoppe8228 You must suffer from cognitive impairment.

[@nielspemberton59]

YIKES at the thought !

[@CarnyChic]

Trump is going to be a “taster” when he gets to Federal Prison.

[@michaellockhart6632]

This is what happens when deregulation occurs. First Lincoln savings and loan then eventually a dictatorship.

[@jeanmorin3247]

The Constitution says that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He can be the Commander-in-Chief just as long as he abides by the Constitution. If the Commander-in-Chief breaks with the Constitution, the Armed Forces are committed first to the Constitution and will have to refuse to obey the Commander-in-Chief in those aspects that are unconstitutional in his commands. An officer of the Armed Forces will not, repeat not, obey an unlawful command, even if it comes from the Commander-in-Chief. Period.

[@NiLowther]

Well thank god every officer in the armed forces is a constitutional expert who wants the best for all americans

[@jeanmorin3247]

@@NiLowther --- Well I'll tell you this one thing: General Mark Milley knew that and acted by it. Glory to him!

[@bernardinemcmanus4126]

Tommy Tubberville is MAGA

[@Bob-sd8ns]

😮

[@patrowan7206]

What worries me most is how many people need these simple facts explained to them before they will take Trump's threats seriously.

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

We WANT Trump to do this

[@msimon6808]

We can't have normal elections. THIS IS A DEMOCRACY!!!!! Tell me who is saying that?

[@chachi5975]

​@@farklestaxbaum4945why?

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

@@chachi5975 our government has been taken over by Bolshevik terrorists. Extra-legal measures are justified in removing them

[@zapazap]

What the guest provided was mostly conjecture. Reasonable conjecture perhaps, but conjecture nonetheless.

[@JohnTLyon]

Don't get it twisted. Trump means every word he says.

[@007kingifrit]

good, we need some authority to repair our broken institutions

[@jimmiller1686]

If the country elects him, then we get what we deserve

[@bert3163]

It appears people are falling for authoritarians beyond the USA as well. Seems to be a basic human failing, exacerbated by the power of concentrated wealth

[@jesuisrobert808]

The founders weren't so prescient after all.

[@gracieallen8285]

No we don’t deserve what Trump will do to this country. Hopefully enough people get out and vote for President Biden to stop the wannabe bedictator.

[@jimmiller1686]

and it wasn't the founders who added the 14th amendment, that was done after the Civil War@@jesuisrobert808

[@Rockyzach88]

A clown and his cult take down the US because leadership didn't have the balls to stop him...

[@theopinionatedbystander]

I don’t vote, I can’t vote, but if I did I’m a Reagan republican. And understand the value that Trump brought to the white house. I feel if Trump is not re-elected he will be remembered in history as a great president. But I do not feel he should be re-elected, he did the good stuff and didn’t damage too much of the structure to get the job done. If I was allowed to vote, I would vote for a DeSantis/Vivek president/VP. But if allowed to vote, I would vote anything (including Biden) to keep Trump out. He is too volatile, too power hungry.too dangerous. If Trump gets elected again he will just not step down at the end of 4 years. And his every effort will be to make his “Putinesk” personality keeps office. So, about dictators, in history most dictators gain power with the populist wave, and end with tyranny.

[@edg3048]

"Didn't damage too much of the structure?" 7.8 trillion in additional debt Tens if not hundreds of thousands of needless deaths due to willfully ignoring the severity of the pandemic Destruction in the confidence of the election process Undermining NATO and other allies Praising our adversaries and making excuses for them The events leading to and including Jan 6 to remain in power through violence Retention and obstruction of the return of classified documents that he had to return when he left office including highly sensitive ones last seen with Meadows and still missing. Pray tell sir, what are your definitions of: A- not too much damage B- A great president

[@Saturday8pm]

Where to start …

[@user-he6yq4ed4w]

The Sacramento root is completely connected to my physical bodily Injury.

[@krishnarajbastola50]

Krishna Raj bastola ❤ love 😘