Thread by @YAppelbaum, 1. A short thread of @TheAtlIdeas authors on the president’s fondness for, [...]

1. A short thread of @TheAtlIdeas authors on the president’s fondness for, and propensity to extend pardons to, war criminals:

2. "Being no different from or better than our enemies has not been the aspiration of previous presidents, nor of our military," writes @KoriSchake https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/trump-issues-pardons-war-criminals/602140/

Being no different from our enemies has not been the aspiration of previous presidents, nor of our military.

3. “Trump is a war-crimes enthusiast,” writes @AdamSerwer, adding that the president seeks to "forge the [military] into a partisan weapon for himself to wield against his enemies, using the promise of impunity for crimes against the weak or despised.” https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/trump-war-crimes/602731/

When violence is directed at those Trump’s supporters hate and fear, they see such excesses not as crimes but as virtues.

4. "War is horrible enough when fought honorably. To join dishonor to horror is no victory for any American cause,” writes @DavidFrum: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/trumps-pardons-dishonor-military/602143/

President Trump’s pardons for three service members accused of war crimes will have lasting consequences.

5. "The United States military keeps itself in line by planting a thick hedge of norms and values, and if it ever were to lose it, woe betide the military, and woe betide the country,” writes @EliotACohen https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/trump-crossed-line-military-pardons/602617/

Every society must make clear what it expects of its armed servants.

6. "Even repeated, planned acts contrary to the letter and spirit of military law and ethical codes are forgiven, and his warfighters are unconstrained by modern laws of armed conflict,” writes @gcaw, warning of the consequences https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/trumps-latest-pardons-reveal-his-military-doctrine/602137/

The president’s latest pardons reveal that he wants his fighters unconstrained by modern laws of armed conflict.

7. "Pardons for those who violated the law and their oaths dishonor those who have kept their honor clean and those who have given their last full measure of devotion,” writes @DaveLapanDC https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/trumps-pardon-of-war-crimes-erodes-trust-in-military/590197/

After three decades in the Marine Corps, I know how important it is to hold service members accountable.

8. "When a leader, through his actions or inaction, grants his subordinates unrestricted license to kill, he neglects his responsibility for their welfare and undermines the cause for which they are risking their lives,” writes Col. (Ret.) Andrew Milburn https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/trumps-war-crime-pardons-sully-memorial-day/590302/

In war, the temptation to take revenge is strong. Fighting that temptation is a commanding officer’s job.

9. "What message does it send, to our uniformed commanders, when civilians loudly call for the pardon of men and women who were punished for disobeying the laws and other orders their commanders ordered them to follow?” asks @ExumAM https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/trump-was-wrong-pardon-michael-behenna/589309/

Thousands of soldiers have successfully led combat units without committing atrocities. Pardoning war crimes dishonors them.

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