Source: Independent Institute
by Ivan Eland
“The Trump administration recently threatened to return retired Navy captain, former astronaut, and now Senator Mark Kelly to active duty and court-martial him—along with investigating other veterans in Congress—merely for publicly advising members of the military to honor their oath to defend the Constitution and refuse to obey illegal orders (presumably from President Donald Trump, the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces). Of course, Trump’s threats are outrageous but unsurprising. He has said he wants to terminate the Constitution. He has also said that Article II, which defines the presidency, allows him to do whatever he wants. More than the flag, the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance, and the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution provides the pillars for the preservation of the American republic. That’s why the military Oath of Enlistment pledges allegiance to the Constitution rather than to a person or branch of government.” (12/02/25)