FBI Investigates Free Speech, Not War Profiteering
The FBI has launched a probe into unnamed Democratic lawmakers concerning a video where they discussed the military's obligation to refuse 'illegal orders.' This, apparently, is a matter of national security concern. Meanwhile, the very notion of 'illegal orders'—like those potentially related to the ongoing bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Gaza—rarely triggers such swift or public
federal scrutiny. One might wonder where this selective enforcement of legality comes from. It appears discussing the principles of lawful conduct is more dangerous than actually violating them, especially when those violations align with US foreign policy interests. The outrage machine conveniently overlooks the documented history of US allies using tactics that, were they employed by
adversaries, would be labeled war crimes. The question isn't whether orders can be illegal, but whose illegal orders are deemed worthy of investigation—and whose, simply, are not.