this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2026
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Actually Infuriating
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That's why I get pissed about stories of the variety "X resigns rather than follow administrations orders". People seem to cheer when that happens because they see it as people pushing back on illegal orders, but they're not. They're just bailing from responsibility when they were one of the few people in the position to legitimately be a stopgap on this runaway power abuse. In resigning, they've just made it easier for a loyalist or morally corrupt replacement to come in and roll out the red carpet to the autocracy. Stay right where the fuck you're at, plant your feet, and tell them that you're absolutely not following illegal orders from anyone. That is worth cheering.
Resigning instead of refusing an illegal order is a betrayal of their oath to the constitution, and a betrayal of the American people
This. It’s not upholding the constitution, it’s standing back and watching it get fucked, while selling books or speaking engagements.
I don't disagree, but then they get dishonorably discharged, lose their pension and benefits, a loyalist is put in their place and the end result is the same except that they're worse off personally. I can absolutely see that the better option for them is to resign and make a statement rather than going hard-core and fight it. Unless they plan on a full-on military coup.
Apparently their main guiding moral is greed then.
Bit harsh IMHO.
It's being human. Not everyone is prepared to throw away the future they planned for and have been working towards their whole life on principle, especially if the end result of that action is bugger all.
I might not agree, but I get it.
Well there's plenty of us who never got a single second of the "future we planned for". Sure its a bummer to have something you thought was nice and have it turn into something awful, but that doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye towards your morals. Doubly so if you happen to be in the military.
So then you might understand that if you're in the lucky group who is on track to get it, it might be hard to give up?
No I'm saying that is a selfish and greedy viewpoint. It only holds up if you only think about yourself and your own family. If you are in the military, you should be concerned about more than those in your immediate circle. Joining the military for selfish reasons is absurd already.
I'm sure there are as many reasons as there are people for joining the military. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that I understand their rationale. If I had to choose between ideological purity and comfort for my family I'm not 100% sure what I'd choose. I'm human after all, and looking after your loved ones absolutely comes first.
I currently have limited the comfort of my family due to the inability to make a large salary without betraying my morals and values. I'm not even in the military and I can realize that its better to show my children what is right rather than make excuses so they can have the easiest life possible.
Edit: apologies if it seems Im attacking you directly.
Right, but you can see the difference, can't you? They quit because they couldn't continue because that would put them in the position where they had to betray their values or their future for no gain.
I wish every single serviceman would have said "No, we're not going to murder civilians", but that didn't happen either. I respect those who stepped away more.
I'd argue the no gain part but it is true nothing is guaranteed. Its still an abandonment of duty either way in my opinion, but it is definitely worse to stay and just go along with things so there's that.
These high level guys have the wealth to sue for their pensions. Courts will restore them if the orders they refused were illegal.
Will they though? Pre-Trump, probably. Today? I wouldn't bet my future and retirement on it.
SCOTUS, no, but I’m pretty sure this would be a civil lawsuit.