Top General Would Refuse Trump's Order To Carry Out Illegal Nuclear Strike

Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the top U.S. nuclear commander, said he would refuse to follow an order to carry out a nuclear launch by President Donald Trump if the general believed it was illegal. Hyten made the remarks Saturday in front of an audience at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, CBS News first reported.

His comments come after Trump made bellicose comments in his recent trip to Asia against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has threatened to carry out nuclear attacks against the U.S.

Hyten, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), said he would hope to find another solution instead, rather than an illegal nuclear strike.

"I think some people think we're stupid," Hyten said when asked about the scenario. "We're not stupid people. We think about these things a lot. When you have this responsibility, how do you not think about it? What people forget is that this is that this is a military mission and military function.”

Hyten went on to say that for more than 30 years he has received training annually on laws of armed conflict, which includes legality, necessity, distinction, unnecessary suffering and other matters.

"If you execute an unlawful order, you will go to jail,” said Hyten. “You could go to jail for the rest of your life.”

Hyten, who oversees the U.S. nuclear arsenal, then explained the process of what an exchange between he and Trump would be like in that scenario.

"I provide advice to the president, he will tell me what to do," Hyten said. "And if it's illegal, guess what's going to happen? I'm going to say, 'Mr. President, that's illegal.' And guess what he's going to do? He's going to say, 'What would be legal?' And we'll come up options, with a mix of capabilities to respond to whatever the situation is, and that's the way it works. It's not that complicated."

Although Hyten said he would push back on orders from Trump on carrying out nuclear attacks, he said the U.S. is “ready to respond right now” to threats from North Korea. He also said the U.S. and other nations have to handle the volatile North Korean leader together.

"President Trump by himself can't change the behavior of Kim Jong Un," Hyten said. "But President Trump can create the conditions that the international community can reach out in different ways where we can work with the Republic of Korea, where we can work with our neighbors in the region."

Trump has previously made strong and provocative comments on North Korea and Kim Jong Un.

“North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States,” Trump told reporters back in August. “He has been very threatening beyond a normal state, and as I said they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before.”

Trump has also criticized China for not standing up to North Korea.