Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

sop

(19,447 posts)

20. One can be right-leaning and still resist illegal orders from an authoritarian president.

Reply to SamuelTheThird (Reply #17)

Tue Sep 30, 2025, 04:18 PM

Sep 2025

In 2020, "Trump told top US general to ‘just shoot’ racism protesters, book claims. Gen Mark Milley, the top US military leader, resisted Donald Trump’s demands that his forces 'crack skulls' and 'beat the fuck out' of protesters marching against police brutality and structural racism, according to a much-trailed new book...'Just shoot them,' the president reportedly said."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/25/donald-trump-general-mark-milley-crack-skulls

After the Lafayette Square incident Milley apologized for participating in a photo-op with Trump after peaceful protestors were forcefully cleared from Lafayette Square. Milley stated, "I should not have been there." Milley said the military's oath was to the Constitution, not to a "king, or a queen, or to a tyrant or dictator... or to a wannabe dictator." Trump will make sure officers like Milley will not be in command during his second term.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

22 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

General Mark Milley: "We don't take an oath to a wannabe dictator." [View all] tblue37 Sep 2025 OP

The U.S. Military may be the only thing standing between Trump and the destruction of American democracy. sop Sep 2025 #1

Gulp...we're running out of defenders other than citizens themselves. NCDem47 Sep 2025 #2

This x 1,000. Permanut Sep 2025 #4

Seriously? RobinA Sep 2025 #7

I'm tired of looking for heroes from our authority figures. C Moon Sep 2025 #14

I seriously wonder markodochartaigh Sep 2025 #18

"...only thing standing between Trump and the destruction of American democracy." markodochartaigh Sep 2025 #16

I have some bad news for you SamuelTheThird Sep 2025 #17

No, but COL Mustard Sep 2025 #19

One can be right-leaning and still resist illegal orders from an authoritarian president. sop Sep 2025 #20

You CAN be SamuelTheThird Sep 2025 #21

It's why Trump staffed his second administration with blindly obedient loyalists who will follow his every order. sop Sep 2025 #22

K&R UTUSN Sep 2025 #3

KICK orangecrush Sep 2025 #5

Bravo, we need to hear more of this PatSeg Sep 2025 #6

Is it time to hand out blue and grey uniforms yet? twodogsbarking Sep 2025 #8

We're getting close to that time JoseBalow Sep 2025 #15

Are there any CURRENT Generals... skypilot Sep 2025 #9

They can't say it and still keep their commission jgmiller Sep 2025 #10

Not yet. rubbersole Sep 2025 #13

oh grow up Milley, active duty ppl are what matters not pension collectors. the current crop of military msongs Sep 2025 #11

Great quote! Eager to copy and use it. calimary Sep 2025 #12

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»General Mark Milley: "We ...»Reply #20