Despite all the devastation and chaos the current administration has caused across the country, Trump voters are waist-deep, their minds too lost in the sunk cost of their support. Yet, some people, even while under the authority of the oppressive regime in DC, still choose to take a stand, albeit at a cost. Dylan Blaha, the Illinois National Guard Captain, has publicly urged all service members and military personnel to disobey “illegal orders” regarding the use of “full force” in deployment missions in the US.
“This is fascism. This is authoritarianism,” Blaha argues, saying that the military is not supposed to be used as federal law enforcement. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, federal troops cannot act as a police force unless Congress overrides it as authorized law. Currently, Republicans control all branches of the government, so the line has been blurred as to what “law” is valid since checks and balances have been thrown out the window in DC. That said, because of Blaha’s statement and call to action for others to defy orders, the Illinois National Guard Captain has allegedly had his security clearance suspended.
For those unaware, security clearance in the military is “vital to maintaining one’s position,” according to army.mil. Having it suspended puts one’s career into jeopardy, making it difficult to do their job properly, not to mention it’s usually a punishment that leads to harsher discipline. As a veteran and someone who’s been serving for over a decade, Blaha clearly put his livelihood on the line to stand against Trump. And while he might have taken the blow for it, many were encouraged to see someone who was “fighting on the frontlines” in this battle against unjust oppression.
“Refusing to obey illegal orders is an obligation of the oath. Dept of War is helmed by traitors,” remarked a Redditor. “He’s one of the good ones,” added a second. Another person pointed out that Blaha’s running for Congress, and people can contribute and volunteer to help if they’d like to at dylanforillinois.com. Some people were upset that the poster of Blaha’s video used the name “Department of War” instead of its actual name: “Department of Defense.” “The EO Trump signed doesn’t have the ability to rename the Department,” says a commenter. “If they can deadname trans people, I can deadname their military industrial complex.”
