A bold billboard campaign challenges military orders, sparking a constitutional debate.
Billboard Campaign Targets Military Bases
Two nonprofit organizations, Defiance.org and WhistleblowerAid.org, have launched a significant billboard campaign near MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Florida. The message, “Obey Only Lawful Orders,” is directed at service members commuting to these installations. The initiative aims to caution troops against following orders perceived as unlawful, stemming from recent Trump administration military actions targeting drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
These billboards are a response to lethal strikes that have resulted in over 100 deaths, sparking concerns about the legality and morality of these operations. The campaign offers whistleblower hotlines and legal advice to troops who might face orders that conflict with their ethical obligations. This movement is bolstered by a recent video from six Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds, urging troops to resist illegal orders—a message that President Trump has fiercely condemned.
Legal and Ethical Debate Intensifies
The billboard campaign is not just about questioning military orders; it is a broader statement on constitutional duty. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members must disobey manifestly unlawful orders. This principle, rooted in post-World War II jurisprudence, is central to the campaign’s message. Defiance.org, led by former Trump DHS official Miles Taylor, and WhistleblowerAid.org are pivotal in this effort, providing necessary legal infrastructure to support troops in making constitutionally sound decisions.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, and the strikes may violate international human rights laws. As tensions escalate, the Trump administration defends its actions as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, designating traffickers as “unlawful combatants.” This defense has not quelled bipartisan calls for transparency, especially concerning the controversial “double-tap” strike on September 2, which remains undisclosed in full.
Political Repercussions and Military Morale
Amidst these developments, the campaign has amplified political discourse around military ethics and presidential authority. President Trump’s response on Truth Social, labeling the lawmakers as “traitors” and amplifying calls for punitive measures against them, underscores the high stakes of this confrontation. Meanwhile, Defiance.org and WhistleblowerAid.org continue to advocate for lawful military conduct, asserting that even the Commander-in-Chief is bound by the law.
While no cases of troops explicitly defying orders due to the billboards have been reported, the campaign is gaining attention. It represents a significant challenge to the normalization of contentious military operations and highlights the enduring importance of constitutional adherence in the face of executive overreach.
Sources:
Billboards telling troops to obey only lawful orders go up near Florida base amid Trump’s drug war
Video of September strike on alleged drug boat raises questions
This is a waste of time. The average soldier cannot afford to cancel themselves out of the military. In addition 99 percent of soldiers are rule followers.
They would not disobey an order. They are programmed to follow through. For anyone who feels the urge to disobey they will feel immediate repercussions.