With Mattis gone Trump can give an order directly to "Field Commanders"

[Cattledog]

Scary!

[Turbineguy]

1. Mattis is still there. Until end February.

Mattis is giving Trump a chance to pull his head out of his ass. He's probably not betting on it though.

[Cattledog]

2. Yes, but

I think Trump will bypass him completely as he gets more and more desperate.

[comradebillyboy]

3. If only Trump knew who they are.

[brooklynite]

4. Trump always could...

...and in any event, Mattis is around until February.

[sarisataka]

5. As C-in-C he can directly order

Every single member of the military down to the lowest private; he is at the top of the chain of command and may skip any intervening level he may choose

[Brother Buzz]

6. Field Commanders oath, unlike enlisted persons, weigh only the constitution

So there's that....


The Oath of Enlistment (for enlistees):

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

The Oath of Office (for officers):

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance tot he same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."