Daily Mail: Retired general says the U.S. military COULD refuse Trump's order to launch a nuclear attack on North Korea - but it 'would be a very difficult process'
* President Donald Trump has the ultimate authority to launch a nuclear strike on any country, a panel of experts said
* If an 'illegal order' to strike is handed down, the military is 'obligated' to refuse it, a former commander of the Pentagon's nuclear weapons division said
* Retired Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler said, however, 'That would be a very difficult process, and a very difficult conversation'
* Assessment was part of a pained discussion Capitol Hill about Trump and his provocative warnings to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un
President Donald Trump has the ultimate authority to launch a nuclear strike on any country, a panel of experts told the Senate committee on Tuesday, but his military advisers could refuse to carry out the commander in chief's orders.
Retired Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a hearing today that the president's power to awaken the United States' nuclear arsenal is not totally unchecked.
If an 'illegal order' to strike North Korea or some other country is handed down, the military is 'obligated' to refuse it, said Kehler, a former commander of the Pentagon's nuclear weapons division.
'That would be a very difficult process, and a very difficult conversation,' he added.
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WNU Editor: Hmmmm ..... what exactly is an illegal order? And who will make that judgement call? Not surprising .... the answers given were vague, general, and not helpful. But this discussion on who has the authority on using nuclear weapons has been around for a very long time .... and contradictory. Case in point .... if President Trump wants to initiate a nuclear strike against China or Russia, he will need the approval of Congress. If it is Russia or China that initiates the strike .... President Trump will not need Congressional approval. Context is also key. Is the President demanding a military strike, or is it the military telling the President and demanding a strike. Bottom line .... we can only hope that these scenarios never happen.
More News On Today' Testimony From A Retired General That U.S. Military Leaders Could Refuse President Trump's Order To Launch A Nuclear Attack
US military leaders would reject illegal order for nuclear strike, senators told -- The Guardian
Retired general says officers can refuse nuclear strike order, but process murky -- The Hill
Retired U.S. general says a Trump nuclear launch order can be refused -- NYDaily News/AP
Retired general: Military won't 'blindly' follow Trump's nuclear strike orders -- Washington Examiner
Retired general, others urge caution in limiting president's power to order nuclear strike -- USA Today
