“In America, the Law is King” Was a Powerful Message at the October 18 2025 NO KINGS Rally in Portland.
A new, national public awareness campaign launched yesterday to ensure US servicemembers are prepared, protected, and empowered to obey lawful order, refuse illegal orders and access legal resources to know the difference.
The effort, spearheaded by DEFIANCE.org and WhistleblowerAid.org comes on the heels of a dramatic video released by lawmakers last month. The well known video that included Senator Mark Kelly (AZ) and Senator Elissa Slotkin (MI), reminded US servicemembers they are sworn to uphold the Constitution and to refuse mainfestly illegal orders.
This new campaign aims to take the next step by putting the right legal information in the hands of military personnel, including whistleblower hotlines, publicly available legal information and access to confidential, independent support organizations, if needed. The centerpiece is a joint awareness initiative that will reach key mililtary communities with posters, digital outreach and billboards prompting a commitment reflected in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“We’re making sure troops know their rights and that they’re not alone if they’re told to cross the line,” said Miles Taylor, former DHS chief of staff under Donald Trump and co-founder of DEFINANCE.org. “The president may be the commander-in-chief, but even he is bound by the law. This campaign is a constitutional alarm bell to remind our servicemembers of that.”
“We’ve already seen reporting about military officials who believe they might have received illegal orders,” said Libby Liu, CEO of Whistleblower Aid. “They want to do the right thing, but they need confidential guidance and protection. That’s what we’re here to provide.”
The effort will first focus on military communities linked to the Trump administration’s controversial boat strikes campaign, which has involved airstrikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In particular, DEFIANCE.org (http://definance.org/) will raise awareness among servicemembers and support personnel near US Southern Command in Doral, Florida and US Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida.
The initiative highlights legal preceents under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which states that servicemembers must obey only lawful orders and refuse manifestly illegal orders, including those that violate the Constitution or direct the commission of a crime.
At launch, the campaign includes:
Geo-targeted public serice announcemenets, online and via social media; Billboards near key US Military installations; Information about confidential, independent support available through Whistleblower Aid, a trusted nonprofit that offers legal intake and case support for servicemembers and government officials; and A volunteer-riven push to distribute infomration in military communities nationwide.
“Senator Kelly and his colleagues sent a powerful message with their ‘refuse illegat orders’ video,” Taylor said. “This is the next step — a war chest of legal resources for those who need it.”
The group says the campaign is not about partisanship but is rooted in longstanding constitutional principles that transcend political parties and presidencies.’
“If you’ve taken an oath to the Constitution, that oath comes first,” Liu aded. “And we’re here to make sure you can live up to it, safely and lawfully.”
The campaign page is at www.DEFIANCE.org/troops (http://www.defiance.org/troops).