I'll say it. The Joint Chiefs need to say that they support the Constitution and will

[NoMoreRepugs]

not stand idly by if a coup is attempted in the United States.

You don't bring a handgun to this kind of fight - YOU BRING THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

To our kumbaya DU'er's - this is real folks, don't think it isn't.

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I will ditto that 100%

[exboyfil]

2. What coup?

They will use the state legislatures and the courts.

[mr_lebowski]

7. Yeah? Then why is he firing everyone at the Pentagon and replacing them with loyalist toadies?

That's Plan C my friend.

When the legislatures and courts don't go along.

[BusyBeingBest]

3. Their oath is to the Constitution and not Trump.

They are also duty-bound, officers and enlisted, to refuse illegal orders from civilians.

[chomper]

6. They don't care, they will only follow Trump.

We (the US) is in really trouble now.

[BusyBeingBest]

8. No. A few ex-officer crazies do not represent

those serving now. Our military won't let us down if things go sideways.

[Bobstandard]

16. Have you ever been in the military?

The modern mind set is not inclined to thinking of constitutional responsibilities. Note that Armed Forces Radio carries Rush Limbaugh all over the world and has since his earliest days. They're indoctrinated with the right wing poison. I think this a worse situation than most people think.

[BusyBeingBest]

20. My husband was, for 20 years.

Retired officer. I know what you refer to, he joined in the 90's, but I also believe the vast majority are solid and will do the right thing.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

21. I was in the military.

Granted it was before Rush Limbaugh was on the air. You are not forced to listen to Rush (at least I hope not) and all members of the military are very familiar with the concept of the right to refuse an illegal order. The military is a cross section of society. There will be some super-charged right wingers, several centrists and some on the left. It's not the auto-think group your comment seems to imply.

[MizLibby]

18. stop

[33taw]

15. Is that what Michael Flynn did? Or, General Kelly? Or, any of the military that worked for him?

I don’t trust the military, they rolled over and played dead regardless of their oath.

[BusyBeingBest]

22. Trump was like flypaper to these guys, a handful sticking to him out of many

more who wanted nothing to do with him. Mattis was the biggest disappointment, Flynn was a treasonous nut, and Kelly is politically a nasty GOPer but not nuts. They all served under Obama, and followed his orders until they retired. Active duty officers know what their roles and duties are.

[33taw]

27. And not one of them stood up to him. I don't expect any of the others too either.

[Mariana]

19. If they're convinced Trump is the legitimate president and not Biden?

What then?

[BusyBeingBest]

23. That would have to be such a mightily compelling case,

*I* might start to believe it, LOL. But seriously, I just don't see them acting against their oath. I don't think it will ever come to that, either.

[Leghorn21]

4. This would be so great bc I'm virtually paralyzed with fear since last night's Barr memo...and

some people are ha ha, look at these fools, while others are “THIS IS REAL FFS”

Anyway yes, I’m 100% in favor of this, thank you, no

[relayerbob]

5. Whatever they do

They won't be broadcasting it to the country

[KentuckyWoman]

9. I believe the "Commander in Thief" can fire them.

At the level they are, I would not risk losing a lifetime of work. If asked, they should simply say they took an oath to defend the US Constitution against all threats, foreign and domestic. And stop at that.

Beside, don't give the enemy warning. Just hit hard from "out of nowhere".

[mr_lebowski]

10. These fuckhead GOP traitors in Congress better take a step back and REALLY think about ...

What it means to 'no longer have elections'.

Seeing as how ... the democratic process is WHY they have fucking jobs or power of any kind.

[blueinredohio]

24. Because if Trump is king he won't need congress people or senators.

Then they're on the bottom with the rest of us.

[mr_lebowski]

25. Exactly ... if you can just say with impunity 'fuck the actual results of the election removing me'

as a leader, seems like you probably can also say that you personally get to appoint the House and Senate, indeed, to say whether there even is going to be either one period ... and nobody will stop you.

[Eid Ma Clack Shaw]

11. Any member of the military who follows Trump's orders

in an attempted coup is a disgusting person who should be tried in a court of law and if convicted, punished as lackeys of fascist organisations have been through history. From the lowest ranking to the highest, there is no excuse. None.

[Bobstandard]

17. That only happens when a coup fails n/t

[world wide wally]

12. If they insist on playing hardball to protect the slimeball..... game on, low lifes

[Mike 03]

13. Kicked and recommended

[Boogiemack]

14. I believe they will if it becomes necessary. nt

[Mordred]

26. Isn't it moot?

The Joint Chiefs are only an advisory panel and command no troops. Sure they can make a statement that has some sway or influence, but they have no hard power.

[Kaleva]

28. The JCS doesn't have operational command of our military forces

The commanders of the 10 Unified Commands do and these people answer directly to the SecDef.