President Trump grants pardons to at least three U.S. soldiers accused of war crimes.
Pardoning war crimes dishonors the military
First, pardons make it harder for commanders to foster compliance with military codes of discipline and rules of engagement. The U.S. military makes law and ethics a key component of its training for officers and enlisted soldiers alike. Firm rules and rigorous enforcement provide soldiers clear guidance, even when operating in murky ethical environments. When combatants receive mixed messages about the importance of these rules, however – not least from the commander-in-chief – they become less inclined to follow them.
Second, by lowering the bar for what constitutes acceptable behavior in war, Americans are less likely to trust the commander-in-chief and the U.S. military overall to carry out tasks with integrity. Due to its large global footprint and operations abroad – by one estimate at least 8,000 civilians were killed in the recent U.S.-led campaign against ISIS alone – the U.S. military already faces significant criticism. When no one is held responsible for the unjustified deaths of civilians and detainees, this erodes support for legitimate uses of U.S. military force.
Third, pardons heighten the vulnerability of all Americans in the hands of adversaries to physical and psychological abuse. By sweeping war crimes under the rug, American prisoners of war – as well as journalists, peacekeepers, aid workers, missionaries and others at risk of capture who work and reside in conflict zones – are more likely to suffer unethical treatment, including torture, from armed groups. When the United States fails to respect laws of war, bad actors may put a target on the backs of Americans.
Finally, pardons undercut America’s ability to project moral authority globally. Since the Vietnam War era, the U.S. military has taken a visible leadership role in promoting laws of war. Failing to punish wrongdoers within its own ranks makes it harder to exert authority abroad. Instead, our allies become more disillusioned with U.S. leadership, and our adversaries more emboldened by the weakening professionalism of American combat forces. This sends the wrong message at a time of waning trust in U.S. power.
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