Judging Freedom AMB. Chas Freeman : A Runaway Presidency.
Sep 4, 2025
Chas Freeman, a former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and foreign policy expert, dives deep into the major repercussions of presidential powers. He discusses the controversial practice of targeted killings, raising ethical questions about drone strikes and their legal ramifications. The conversation also touches on military accountability, linking historical Nuremberg trials to contemporary military ethics. Additionally, Freeman critiques the moral conflicts in Israeli governance, especially under Netanyahu, emphasizing the broader implications for democracy and civil liberties.
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Runaway Executive Killings Erode Rule Of Law
- Presidents have asserted unilateral authority to order killings without due process, setting dangerous precedents.
- Freeman argues such strikes (e.g., Yemen, high seas) destroy U.S. reputation and violate law.
Refuse Orders That Violate Ethics Or Law
- Military personnel should refuse illegal orders and follow ethical codes established after WWII.
- Freeman and Napolitano stress that 'just following orders' is not a legal or moral defense.
Ends-Justify-Means Mindset Has Hardened
- The government now often claims ends justify means, abandoning due process and constitutional limits.
- Freeman warns this moral depravity is becoming normalized in U.S. policy.