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U.S. Military Refusal of Unlawful Orders

The duty of U.S. service members to refuse orders that are unlawful, and the challenges and risks associated with doing so.

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Jan 15, 2026
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What training and guidance do U.S. service members receive about disobeying unlawful orders?

U.S. service members are trained and legally required to refuse orders that are unlawful, but that duty is constrained by a high legal threshold (“manifestly unlawful”), strong institutional incentive...

Feb 5, 2026

When can you fight back against law enforcement

The short answer: a limited unlawful or exists in many jurisdictions, but exercising that right is risky, legally fraught, and varies by state and case law—courts and police policies generally discour...