“I think some people think we’re stupid. We’re not stupid people. We think about these things a lot. When you have this responsibility, how do you not think about it?”

Air Force General John Hyten — Commander of the US Strategic Command (Stratcom)

November 20 2017 — Top nuclear commander General John Hyten said that he wouldn’t carry out an ‘illegal’ nuclear strike order from President Donald Trump. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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“I have little doubt that such contingency planning, directed by the Oval Office, for provoking, if necessary, an excuse for attacking Iran while this administration is still in office exists right now, in safes and computers in the Pentagon, CIA and the White House.” Daniel Ellsberg

UPDATE (January 9 2021) — I believe that the world could be on the brink of an apocalypse.

As I wrote yesterday, those who urge President Trump to bomb Iran are dangerous fanatics.

Daniel Ellsberg is the whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers. These documents revealed that the US government had lied to the American public about the Vietnam war.

Like me, Daniel Ellsberg believes that an attack — possibly nuclear — should not be ruled out.

The dispatch this week of B-52’s nonstop round-trip from North Dakota to the Iranian coast – the fourth such flight in seven weeks, one at year’s end – along with his build-up of US forces in the area, is a warning not only to Iran but to us.

In mid-November, as these flights began, the president had to be dissuaded at the highest levels from directing an unprovoked attack on Iran nuclear facilities. But an attack “provoked” by Iran (or by militias in Iraq aligned with Iran) was not ruled out.

US military and intelligence agencies have frequently, as in Vietnam and Iraq, provided presidents with false information that offered pretexts to attack our perceived adversaries. Or they’ve suggested covert actions that could provoke the adversaries to some response that justifies a US “retaliation”.

(…)

Evidently it would take more than individual murders to induce Iran to risk responses justifying a large-scale air attack before Trump leaves office. But US military and covert planning staffs are up to the task of attempting to meet that challenge, on schedule.

I have little doubt that such contingency planning, directed by the Oval Office, for provoking, if necessary, an excuse for attacking Iran while this administration is still in office exists right now, in safes and computers in the Pentagon, CIA and the White House. 

(…)

I am urging courageous whistleblowing today, this week, not months or years from now, after bombs have begun falling. It could be the most patriotic act of a lifetime.

For those who may think that this is just the ramblings of an old man, I will offer this piece of information.

Yesterday, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley to discuss available precautions for preventing TRUMP from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike.

General Milley assured Pelosi that steps are in place to prevent Trump nuclear launch.

That sounds very nice… However, according to a report the Congressional Research Service released in December 2020,

“The President does not need the concurrence of either his military advisors or the U.S. Congress to order the launch of nuclear weapons.”

Simply put, neither the military nor Congress can overrule such a presidential order.

“I will follow any legal order that I’m given – I will not follow any illegal orders,” U.S. Navy Charles Richard, head of STRATCOM, told reporters the day before the siege on Capitol Hill, in response to question about potential nuclear strikes on Iran. 

And please, keep in mind that the US does not have a no-first-use nuclear policy. Happy New year!

END of UPDATE

“The nuclear launch codes are literally in Donald Trump’s pocket, and as President he has the full legal authority to order a nuclear strike at any time. (…) Ordering a nuclear strike may seem far-fetched, but until yesterday many would have said the same about a U.S. President inciting a mob to attack and terrorize the halls of government.”

Bruce Blair — Former U.S. Air Force missile launcher officer

On Saturday (November 18 2017), the top US nuclear commander said that he would resist President Donald Trump if he ordered an “illegal” launch of nuclear weapons.

“I provide advice to the president, he will tell me what to do.”

“And if it’s illegal, guess what’s going to happen? I’m going to say, ’Mr President, that’s illegal.’ And guess what he’s going to do? He’s going to say, ’What would be legal?’ And we’ll come up with options, of a mix of capabilities to respond to whatever the situation is, and that’s the way it works. It’s not that complicated.”

“If you execute an unlawful order, you will go to jail. You could go to jail for the rest of your life.”

Some senators want legislation to alter the nuclear authority of the US president. Last week, a Senate committee held the first congressional hearing in more than four decades on the president’s authority to launch a nuclear strike.

Top nuclear commander Gen.John Hyten: I wouldn’t carry out ‘illegal’ nuclear strike order from Trump

REFERENCES

US general says he would resist ‘illegal’ Trump nuclear strike order — The Guardian

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Top US Nuclear Commander: “I wouldn’t carry out ‘illegal’ nuclear strike order from Trump”

One Year Ago — Top US Nuclear Commander: “I wouldn’t carry out illegal nuclear strike order from Trump”

Top US Nuclear Commander: “I wouldn’t carry out illegal nuclear strike order from Trump” [UPDATE : Will TRUMP Nuke Iran?]