Pres TRUMP, Do you want to see televised military tribunals?

Posted on: May 31, 2025 at 12:30:22 CT

What do you think?


Grok-
In June 2024, former President Donald Trump amplified posts on Truth Social calling for "televised military tribunals" targeting political opponents, including former Rep. Liz Cheney, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and others, accusing them of crimes like treason. In May 2025, he shared similar posts suggesting a public military tribunal for former President Barack Obama. These calls have sparked significant controversy, as military tribunals are typically reserved for enemy combatants or war criminals during wartime, not civilians or political adversaries. Critics, including Cheney, argue these statements reflect instability and threaten democratic norms, while supporters frame them as a response to perceived corruption or bias in the justice system.[](https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/politics/trump-liz-cheney-military-tribunal/index.html)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/01/us/politics/trump-liz-cheney-treason-jail.html)[](https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-shares-post-suggesting-obama-should-face-a-military-tribunal/)

Military tribunals, as outlined in U.S. law, operate outside conventional criminal and civil proceedings, with military officers acting as judges and jurors. Historically, they’ve been used in wartime—like during the American Revolution or Civil War—but their use for civilians has been contentious. The Supreme Court’s 1866 Ex parte Milligan ruling declared military tribunals unconstitutional for civilians when civil courts are functioning, raising legal questions about Trump’s proposals.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tribunals_in_the_United_States)

Additionally, reports from November 2024 indicate Trump’s transition team is exploring courts-martial for military officers involved in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, potentially targeting senior commanders for charges as severe as treason, though lesser charges are more likely. This reflects a broader intent to use military justice to address perceived failures or disloyalty.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-transition-team-compiling-list-current-former-us-military-office-rcna180489)

The risks are stark: military tribunals for civilians could erode constitutional protections like the right to a jury trial and due process, especially if politicized. Supporters argue they could ensure swift justice for extraordinary cases, but critics warn of authoritarian overreach, particularly given Trump’s history of threatening to prosecute over 100 political enemies. The Supreme Court’s 2024 immunity ruling, which shields presidents from prosecution for “official acts,” could further embolden such moves, though judicial oversight remains a check.[](https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article289692379.html)[](https://www.npr.org/2024/10/21/nx-s1-5134924/trump-election-2024-kamala-harris-elizabeth-cheney-threat-civil-liberties)

If you’re asking about Trump’s specific intent or a particular case, I can search X or the web for more context. What’s the focus here—legal feasibility, political impact, or something else?