Survey Finds Most U.S. Troops Aware of Duty to Disobey Illegal Orders

A recent survey conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Human Security Lab reveals that a significant majority of U.S. service members—four out of five—acknowledge their legal and moral obligation to refuse unlawful orders.

The poll involved 818 active-duty service members and was conducted in June 2025. It arrives at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding President Donald Trump’s military actions on U.S. soil. This follows the announcement made on August 11, where he declared the deployment of the National Guard and federal law enforcement to Washington, D.C., aimed at addressing crime issues. 

In a controversial move, Trump has sent troops to Los Angeles in response to largely peaceful protests, alongside other measures that have drawn criticism from human rights advocates who argue these actions violate both U.S. and international law.

According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members must reject any unlawful orders—specifically those that blatantly contravene the Constitution, human rights norms, or the Geneva Conventions.

It also further revealed that a mere 9% of military personnel expressed a willingness to follow any command, with the majority highlighting actions like harming civilians, torturing prisoners, or targeting individuals based on their identities as boundaries they refuse to breach.

The study unveiled a conflict between acknowledgment and implementation. A significant number recognized the obligation to reject unlawful commands. Nevertheless, a smaller fraction indicated they would defy particular directives, including the deployment of a nuclear weapon on a civilian population. Researchers highlight that the culture within the military often compels service members to conform, with many receiving insufficient instruction on the regulations governing warfare.

Amid changing political landscapes, responses revealed a growing skepticism towards U.S. law, as some service members expressed a preference for international law as their guiding framework. Findings indicate that even short prompts regarding legal standards can enhance the readiness to decline illegal orders.

Experts in research and military ethics emphasize that the results highlight the critical role of training and leadership in guiding soldiers as they balance lawful obedience with their moral responsibilities.

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