Carrie A Lee
@carriealee.bsky.social
Former public servant: Democracy, Civ-Mil, NatSec & Strategy. Senior Fellow @gmfus.bsky.social, Visiting Scholar @perryworldhouse.bsky.social, Member @cfr.org, Truman Project. Running enthusiast.
Pinned
Carrie A Lee
@carriealee.bsky.social
· Jun 5
Friends, followers, and colleagues: some professional news, as they say.
After four wonderful years with the US Army War College, I resigned my position effective May 2, 2025. 1/
After four wonderful years with the US Army War College, I resigned my position effective May 2, 2025. 1/
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org/p/a-dishonor...
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org/p/a-dishonor...
A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:26 AM
A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org/p/a-dishonor...
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org/p/a-dishonor...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Super excited that a new edited volume, Bend But Do Not Break, is coming out, edited by Jaron Wharton, @klkuzminski.bsky.social @jkdemp.bsky.social @mzmargulies.bsky.social Keith Carter, and @carriealee.bsky.social
And it’s apparently doing well on the amazons
And it’s apparently doing well on the amazons
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Super excited that a new edited volume, Bend But Do Not Break, is coming out, edited by Jaron Wharton, @klkuzminski.bsky.social @jkdemp.bsky.social @mzmargulies.bsky.social Keith Carter, and @carriealee.bsky.social
And it’s apparently doing well on the amazons
And it’s apparently doing well on the amazons
Outstanding reminder by @markhertling.bsky.social on the recent controversy around the oath. This is a subject that needs a lot more discussion, and a lot more nuance.
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-ameri...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-ameri...
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders
And why it matters there are two military oaths.
www.thebulwark.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Outstanding reminder by @markhertling.bsky.social on the recent controversy around the oath. This is a subject that needs a lot more discussion, and a lot more nuance.
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-ameri...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-ameri...
Hi folks! A few thoughts on this essay, and the questions that we *should* be asking, rather than the ones this Army officer seems inclined to answer. I haven’t done a CMR thread in a while so I’m overdue. 🧵
Hard to imagine a more sinister & dangerous argument, couched in euphemism & high-minded language. "This essay does not argue liberalism will collapse, only that [US] military officers should be intellectually (and spiritually) prepared for alternatives." warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...
The American Military Officer After Liberalism
Across academia, government, and Silicon Valley, on social media, and in leading journals, intellectuals and political leaders are openly debating what
warontherocks.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Hi folks! A few thoughts on this essay, and the questions that we *should* be asking, rather than the ones this Army officer seems inclined to answer. I haven’t done a CMR thread in a while so I’m overdue. 🧵
Am honored to contribute to this special issue of Georgetown Law's Journal of Nat'l Security Law and Policy. I argue that Trump's efforts go beyond politicization and into personalization--to the extreme detriment of natsec and civ-mil relations.
nationalsecurity.law.georgetown.edu/journal/2025...
nationalsecurity.law.georgetown.edu/journal/2025...
Trump’s Second Term: The Personalization of the Military and Implications for National Security - Georgetown Law - Center on National Security
By Carrie A. Lee
nationalsecurity.law.georgetown.edu
October 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Am honored to contribute to this special issue of Georgetown Law's Journal of Nat'l Security Law and Policy. I argue that Trump's efforts go beyond politicization and into personalization--to the extreme detriment of natsec and civ-mil relations.
nationalsecurity.law.georgetown.edu/journal/2025...
nationalsecurity.law.georgetown.edu/journal/2025...
Today's @radiofreetom.bsky.social article for the Atlantic is a must-read.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Today's @radiofreetom.bsky.social article for the Atlantic is a must-read.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
On the left:
Sept 2: Judge Breyer opinion (in CA case) showing DoD's own instructions of actions that violate Posse Comitatus Act (eg "crowd control").
On the right:
Sept 26: DHS request to DoD for military forces in Chicago "in direct support of ... access control, and crowd control."
Sept 2: Judge Breyer opinion (in CA case) showing DoD's own instructions of actions that violate Posse Comitatus Act (eg "crowd control").
On the right:
Sept 26: DHS request to DoD for military forces in Chicago "in direct support of ... access control, and crowd control."
October 6, 2025 at 4:25 PM
On the left:
Sept 2: Judge Breyer opinion (in CA case) showing DoD's own instructions of actions that violate Posse Comitatus Act (eg "crowd control").
On the right:
Sept 26: DHS request to DoD for military forces in Chicago "in direct support of ... access control, and crowd control."
Sept 2: Judge Breyer opinion (in CA case) showing DoD's own instructions of actions that violate Posse Comitatus Act (eg "crowd control").
On the right:
Sept 26: DHS request to DoD for military forces in Chicago "in direct support of ... access control, and crowd control."
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Folks we are watching the adjudication of some of the most important constitutional issues of federalism, executive discretion, and judicial review since the 19th c
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Judge issues new broader order barring any National Guard from relocating to Oregon
Judge asked federal government lawyer: 'Do you believe this is an appropriate way to deal with a judge’s order that you disagree with?'
www.oregonlive.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Folks we are watching the adjudication of some of the most important constitutional issues of federalism, executive discretion, and judicial review since the 19th c
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
NEW: Judge Immergut issues her written second TRO, blocking the Trump admin from deploying ANY federalized National Guard troops from ANY state in Oregon. (Full hearing thread below) storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
NEW: Judge Immergut issues her written second TRO, blocking the Trump admin from deploying ANY federalized National Guard troops from ANY state in Oregon. (Full hearing thread below) storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
New ruling in Portland NG case, reaffirming the previous restraining order and restricting USG from deploying NG troops to Portland. And few notes on this based on some questions I’ve seen: 1/
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:07 AM
New ruling in Portland NG case, reaffirming the previous restraining order and restricting USG from deploying NG troops to Portland. And few notes on this based on some questions I’ve seen: 1/
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
🌊 "...while [this week's all-general meeting] did not spark an immediate crisis, it was a stark reminder that there are rough seas ahead for both the senior US officer corps and US partners across the Atlantic."
Read an analysis of this week's US military developments by Carrie Lee:
Read an analysis of this week's US military developments by Carrie Lee:
Rough Seas Ahead
When the Washington Post first reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had recalled hundreds of the United States’ most senior military commanders to Washington for an in-person…
www.gmfus.org
October 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
🌊 "...while [this week's all-general meeting] did not spark an immediate crisis, it was a stark reminder that there are rough seas ahead for both the senior US officer corps and US partners across the Atlantic."
Read an analysis of this week's US military developments by Carrie Lee:
Read an analysis of this week's US military developments by Carrie Lee:
My analysis of Tuesday's mtg:
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
Rough Seas Ahead
www.gmfus.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
My analysis of Tuesday's mtg:
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
Am trying to write about the Dept of War change without using a gender lens (audience) and finding it basically impossible. Send words.
September 10, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Am trying to write about the Dept of War change without using a gender lens (audience) and finding it basically impossible. Send words.
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
News Analysis: By ordering the U.S. military to summarily kill a group of people aboard what he said was a drug-smuggling boat, President Trump used the military in a way that had no clear legal precedent or basis, according to specialists in the laws of war and executive power.
Trump Claims the Power to Summarily Kill Suspected Drug Smugglers
The move to treat criminals as if they were wartime combatants escalated an administration pattern of using military force for law enforcement tasks at home and abroad.
nyti.ms
September 5, 2025 at 2:05 AM
News Analysis: By ordering the U.S. military to summarily kill a group of people aboard what he said was a drug-smuggling boat, President Trump used the military in a way that had no clear legal precedent or basis, according to specialists in the laws of war and executive power.
This was a completely predictable move that was enabled by everyone on the left screaming "wHaT aBoUt tHe rEd StAteS?!!" Mobilizing the NG to do policing in cities is wrong and unAmerican no matter where in the country they are located.
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT CRIME; it's just about intimidating people.
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT CRIME; it's just about intimidating people.
Trump: "We're making a determination now -- do we go to Chicago, or do we go to a place like New Orleans where we have a great governor who wants us to come in and straighten out a very nice section of this country that's become quite tough, quite bad?"
September 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
This was a completely predictable move that was enabled by everyone on the left screaming "wHaT aBoUt tHe rEd StAteS?!!" Mobilizing the NG to do policing in cities is wrong and unAmerican no matter where in the country they are located.
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT CRIME; it's just about intimidating people.
IT WAS NEVER ABOUT CRIME; it's just about intimidating people.
David French has it exactly right.
Trump’s Domestic Deployments Are Dangerous. For the Military. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/o...
Trump’s Domestic Deployments Are Dangerous. For the Military. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Domestic Deployments Are Dangerous. For the Military.
www.nytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
David French has it exactly right.
Trump’s Domestic Deployments Are Dangerous. For the Military. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/o...
Trump’s Domestic Deployments Are Dangerous. For the Military. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/o...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Our CEO, @lfschleusener.bsky.social, is thrilled to be in Ottawa this week to work with @smsaideman.bsky.social, @carriealee.bsky.social, and others on the future of @cdsn.bsky.social, one of our favorite longtime partners.
August 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Our CEO, @lfschleusener.bsky.social, is thrilled to be in Ottawa this week to work with @smsaideman.bsky.social, @carriealee.bsky.social, and others on the future of @cdsn.bsky.social, one of our favorite longtime partners.
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
My take is that senior officers are completely unprepared for this moment.
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
What's a MAJ supposed to do when they watch GOFOs and COLs do nothing and say nothing about what went down with LA, the parade, Bragg, and criticism of MoH recipients?
There's no top cover, no leadership, no hard convos. Just abdication and servility from the top creating difficulties on down.
There's no top cover, no leadership, no hard convos. Just abdication and servility from the top creating difficulties on down.
August 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My take is that senior officers are completely unprepared for this moment.
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
A senior administration official, as well as other officials, told Rolling Stone that it is a priority of Trump that these kinds of military deployments -- in times of relative calm -- become normalized in American political culture.
More: rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
More: rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
August 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A senior administration official, as well as other officials, told Rolling Stone that it is a priority of Trump that these kinds of military deployments -- in times of relative calm -- become normalized in American political culture.
More: rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
More: rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
I’m quoted in this story and would like to expand on what I’m talking about in terms of this not being how the NG has been used, historically.
Though first I should note that Joe Nunn is right on all counts. I’m just adding a little historical context.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Though first I should note that Joe Nunn is right on all counts. I’m just adding a little historical context.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon plan would create military ‘reaction force’ for civil unrest
Documents reviewed by The Post detail a new National Guard mission that, if adopted, would require hundreds of troops to be ready around-the-clock.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I’m quoted in this story and would like to expand on what I’m talking about in terms of this not being how the NG has been used, historically.
Though first I should note that Joe Nunn is right on all counts. I’m just adding a little historical context.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Though first I should note that Joe Nunn is right on all counts. I’m just adding a little historical context.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
Every activated Guardsman has a family, a job, school, or something that they are leaving to do their duty.
It’s one thing when it’s a war… or a real mass civil disturbance, which those only last a few days.
But to rip these people from their lives for a show… is awful.
It’s one thing when it’s a war… or a real mass civil disturbance, which those only last a few days.
But to rip these people from their lives for a show… is awful.
August 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Every activated Guardsman has a family, a job, school, or something that they are leaving to do their duty.
It’s one thing when it’s a war… or a real mass civil disturbance, which those only last a few days.
But to rip these people from their lives for a show… is awful.
It’s one thing when it’s a war… or a real mass civil disturbance, which those only last a few days.
But to rip these people from their lives for a show… is awful.
Reposted by Carrie A Lee
This happening now. IDF strongly opposes this move which led to high profile clashes between politicians and the new IDF chief. I also think it’s bad.
It’s also a textbook case of civilian control and civilian right to be wrong.
#CivMilSky
It’s also a textbook case of civilian control and civilian right to be wrong.
#CivMilSky
Ministers meet to discuss full occupation of Gaza as protesters rally outside against proposal
Netanyahu says Israel aims to take control of Gaza, then hand it over to Arab forces * Haredi protesters block Route 4 near Bnei Brak, burn military draft orders in Jerusalem
www.timesofisrael.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
This happening now. IDF strongly opposes this move which led to high profile clashes between politicians and the new IDF chief. I also think it’s bad.
It’s also a textbook case of civilian control and civilian right to be wrong.
#CivMilSky
It’s also a textbook case of civilian control and civilian right to be wrong.
#CivMilSky
Also, deference to exec judgement should be tossed along with presumptions of regularity. Courts often (for good reason) assume POTUS has access to better info and is working in public interest, esp on natsec. But recent reporting reveals intent to skirt the law. Can't assume good faith anymore.
3/This is no longer the DOJ courts can rely on to act in good faith. The “presumption of regularity” courts have afforded the gov’t, an assumption of good motives & proper behavior that the gov’t regularly pleads in court when accused of wrongdoing without evidence, no longer exists.
August 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Also, deference to exec judgement should be tossed along with presumptions of regularity. Courts often (for good reason) assume POTUS has access to better info and is working in public interest, esp on natsec. But recent reporting reveals intent to skirt the law. Can't assume good faith anymore.