Karoline Leavitt says you can’t have soldier ‘questioning whether an order is lawful’

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took a jab at the six Democratic lawmakers who said military and intelligence service members must "refuse illegal orders", as she called them "deranged" who were seeking to undermine President Donald Trump as commander-in-chief.

During an appearance on 'The Story With Martha MacCallum' on Fox News on Monday, November 24, Leavitt said the Democratic lawmakers were dead wrong on the issue.

The White House press secretary added that the service members have a "legal obligation" under the Uniform Code of Military Justice to "obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful". She said that the military would descend into anarchy without that presumption.

Karoline Leavitt says there must be 'a chain of command'

Karoline Leavitt told Fox News' Martha MacCallum on Monday, "You can’t have a soldier out on the battlefield or conducting a classified order questioning whether that order is lawful or whether they should follow through. There must be a chain of command in our military."

Leavitt made the statement a week after Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and five other Democratic lawmakers told service members, in a video posted on X, that "threats to the Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but right here at home". 

The lawmakers said in the video, "You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders," as they took turns reading lines from the same statement.

The other five Democrats in the video were Reps Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Jason Crow (D-CO), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ). They served in the Navy, Army, Air Force, or Central Intelligence Agency.

Two days after the video was posted on X, President Trump branded it "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" that should be "punishable by DEATH". The POTUS vented his anger again last Saturday, saying the Dems "SHOULD BE IN JAIL."

Trump admin investigates Sen Mark Kelly over viral video

The Department of War announced on Monday that it was investigating Sen Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, for his appearance in a public service announcement reminding servicemembers not to follow illegal orders.

The Pentagon said that it had received "serious allegations of misconduct" against the retired Navy captain and cited the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 USC §688, which allows for the recall of retired personnel for possible court-martial.

"The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret)," the Department said in its statement.

"In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 USC §688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measure," the statement further read.

The statement also mentioned that the review would follow military law and "ensure due process and impartiality". The Pentagon also emphasized that retired service members remain legally accountable. 

The statement read, "The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses, and federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces. Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels."

Furthermore, the statement also reminded active-duty personnel that orders were presumed lawful.

It read, "All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order."