“Just Follow Orders?” Your Decision
By Anonymous / World BEYOND War
(April 21, 2025) — You may be faced with a life-altering decision. President Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act, allowing him to deploy members of the US military within the United States. You could be asked to help round up US citizens or immigrant families for detention or deportation — whether or not they have committed a crime.
You could be ordered to the streets of US towns and cities to arrest US citizens who are exercising their First Amendment right to speak out for issues they care about — issues like healthcare, veterans’ benefits, protection of public lands, or Social Security.
What Will You Do?
You took an oath to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. What does it mean to fulfill that oath? What are the consequences if you do — or don’t? What impacts will your decision have on your life, your future, and your country?
Only you can answer these questions, but there is support. You are not alone. You can ask questions and get confidential counsel about your rights and what you might risk. You will find support from veterans, attorneys, faith leaders, and others who will stand with you. To access these resources, do not use a government computer or phone. Reach out via secure encrypted means if possible.
Confidential Resources
- Know Your Rights from the Military Law Taskforce. Download the booklet on your rights to speech and to dissent.
EMAIL: help@NLGMLTF.org
PHONE (not texts): 619-463-2369 - GI Rights. HOTLINE: 877-447-4487. The GI Rights Network answers calls from military personnel and their families. GI Rights fact sheets are here.
- For Members of Security Forces: A Guide to Supporting Pro-Democracy Movements, from the Center for Nonviolent Conflict. Detailed options for resisting both within the military and as a veteran.
Get Informed
- Veterans For Peace
2. When can a soldier disobey an order?
3. The Posse Comitatus Act.
4. Background on the Nuremberg defense(“just following orders”).
