Trump's Terms Could Trump really use the U.S. military against Americans?
Oct 17, 2025
The discussion dives into Trump's influence over intelligence and the justice system, raising concerns about military independence. Tom Nichols warns that sending troops into cities could normalize military presence on American streets. Legal issues arise as the firing of military lawyers suggests potential unlawful orders. The risks of labeling groups as terrorists could justify military actions domestically. Overall, the podcast examines the complexities of capturing military loyalty compared to civil agencies.
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Normalizing Troops In U.S. Cities
- Tom Nichols argues Trump is normalizing troops in U.S. cities by sending forces into places that explicitly reject them.
- He shows this move is meant to acclimate Americans to military displays of presidential power.
Firing Military Lawyers Signals Risk
- Nichols highlights firings of top military lawyers as a red flag that illegal orders may be coming.
- He warns removing legal advisers suggests intent to avoid checks on unlawful commands.
Erosion Of Military Pushback Norms
- Nichols contrasts past norms where generals would push back on illegal orders with Trump's likely response of overriding legal objections.
- He cites presidential claims of covering subordinates as enabling compliance with unlawful orders.