Victor Davis Hanson: The Left's Undermining of the Commander-in-Chief

The Drug Boat Incident and Media Narrative

• 🎯 A recent strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, intended to destroy it, required a second hit because the vessel was not completely obliterated.
• 🚨 The Left immediately characterized this as an "execution of prisoners," falsely claiming President Trump ordered the killing of all individuals on board.
• 📰 Despite denials from sources like the New York Times, the narrative of an unlawful order persisted.

Military Testimony and Operational Logic

• 🗣️ Testimony from General Kaine and admirals confirmed there was no "kill them all" order.
• ⚓ Military leaders explained that if a hostile asset is partially disabled, follow-up action is standard procedure unless the occupants surrender.
• ⚔️ The analogy of a Sherman tank disabling a Tiger tank in WWII is used to illustrate that military engagements do not adhere to a single-chance rule.

Undermining Military Chain of Command

• ⚠️ Senators and representatives are accused of suggesting that military members should carefully consider the legality of orders from the President.
• 📜 This is seen as a dangerous precedent, echoing past instances where military leaders questioned or acted against presidential directives.
• 🚫 The "Seditious Six" are mentioned for urging military members to refuse "illegal orders," which Hanson argues would create chaos.

Precedents of Disobedience and Rhetoric

• 🇺🇸 The actions of General Mark Milley are cited as an example of potentially undermining the chain of command, including alleged calls to his Chinese counterpart.
• ⚖️ Retired lieutenant colonels are noted for suggesting military removal of a president, hinting at potential armed conflict.
• 🗣️ Past instances of high-ranking officers making critical public statements about Donald Trump are presented as setting a precedent for current rhetoric.

The Real Unconstitutionality

• 🚩 Hanson argues that the Left's deliberate effort to undermine the chain of command and the commander-in-chief is, in fact, unconstitutional.
• 🔍 The focus on alleged unconstitutionality by the Left distracts from their own actions that are seen as violating constitutional principles.