1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

NO QUARTER? Hegseth has stated the military would be bound by “no stupid rules of engagement” and “no quarter, no mercy.” This could be interpreted as counseling, commanding, encouraging, ordering, or threatening the commission of a war crime. This ‘no quarter’ statement could likely expose him criminal liability under 18 U.S.C. 2441(c)(2), and expose any subordinate servicemembers who carry it out to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice as well as 18 U.S.C. 2441(c)(2). As law of armed conflict experts Michael Schmitt and John Tramazzo explained, “no quarter” is “an order that there shall be no survivors, a threat to conduct operations on that basis, or fighting in that manner”. Such orders, threats, and fighting have been long recognized under customary international law, the Hague Convention (art. 23, Annex to Convention IV, 1907) and the Geneva Convention’s Additional Protocol I (art. 40) as absolutely prohibited. The Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Section 5.4.7 cites to Hague IV Regulation article 23(d) as conclusive: “it is especially forbidden . . . [t]o declare that no quarter will be given.” Article 23(d) in the Annex noted is unambiguous: “it is especially forbidden . . . [t]o declare that no quarter will be given.” I encourage you to read the entire article from which the above facts are provided, see link Just Security, https://www.justsecurity.org/133970/legal-advice-hegseth-no-quarter-hypo/. What we have here are statements that constitute a war crime. DO YOU SUPPORT HEGSETH? I want and EXPECT an immediate answer. Just think how any American POWs will be treated given that statement. Hegseth must be removed immediately – he’s a danger to this country and to every service member!! You put him in that position – it’s damn sure time to remove him!