“This [Bradley giving a no quarter order on his own initiative] seems implausible. Bradley is an experienced officer who by virtue of his rank and position would be intimately familiar with the laws of armed conflict. He would have to know that such an order is likely a war crime, and any senior officer would want civilian leadership to sign off on an order with such potentially immense consequences, especially on the very first strike.” https://mastodon.social/@shoq/115646994233732930
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@heidilifeldman He would also know obeying orders is no excuse.
@heidilifeldman I'm sure he was promised a pardon. That won't help him at the Hague, though, and he'd better not stick his neck outside the US ever again.
@heidilifeldman @shoq however, that he would obey such an order that he knows is illegal under the laws of war, such that it’s explicitly spelled out in the DoD Law of War manual, speaks volumes about his character, none good, even with civilian sign-off.
‘On Sunday, the secretary of defense of the United States of America posted a meme on X depicting Franklin, the cartoon turtle who is a beloved children’s book character, as a special forces operator killing people on boats. He added a comment: “For your Christmas wish list…”’https://archive.ph/2025.12.01-212015/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/12/pete-hegseth-pentagon-department-defense/685098/
@heidilifeldman
What branch of the military was Hegseth in: logistics, administration, or did he just torture prisoners?
“Posting stupid memes after being accused of murder is not the response of a patriot who must answer to the public about the security of the United States and its people in uniform. It is not the response of a secretary of defense who values the advice of the officers who report to him. It is not the response of a human being who comprehends the risks—and the costs—of ordering other people to kill helpless men clinging to the wreck of a boat.” https://archive.ph/2025.12.01-212015/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/12/pete-hegseth-pentagon-department-defense/685098/
I would add, posting stupid memes after being accused of murder is not something you do if you think you'll get fired for it.
Every day that passes with Hegseth remaining in his job, is more proof that he acts with Trump's approval.
