The Daily Signal Victor Davis Hanson: The Real Unconstitutionality? Undermining the Commander in Chief
Dec 8, 2025
A recent U.S. operation against a Venezuelan drug boat sparked intense debate. Critics labeled follow-up strikes as unlawful executions, igniting fiery media narratives. Victor Davis Hanson defends these actions as standard wartime protocol. He highlights the danger of political figures urging military officers to disobey lawful orders, arguing that it undermines the commander-in-chief and the constitutional framework. The discussion also recalls previous instances of military officers challenging presidential authority, framing the current dissent as a serious constitutional threat.
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Follow-Up Strikes Are Tactical Reality
- Victor Davis Hanson argues follow-up strikes against partially disabled hostile vessels are standard military practice.
- He rejects the left's claim that a second strike constituted an unlawful execution of prisoners.
War Analogy To Justify Engagement
- Hanson compares maritime interdiction to conventional warfare where damaged foes can still be engaged.
- He uses World War II tank imagery to illustrate why a second strike can be necessary and lawful.
Undermining The Chain Of Command
- Hanson warns that calls to question or disobey presidential orders risk undermining military cohesion.
- He says senators urging officers to second-guess orders would create chaos and destroy the military chain of command.