Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning: Denial of quarter--even the declaration of no quarter--is a war crime.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Reposted by Little Excursion Hat
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social‪‬

Brian Finucane
‪@bcfinucane.bsky.social‬

✋ Former USG war crimes lawyer here.

Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning:

Denial of quarter—even the declaration of no quarter—is a war crime.

And recognized as such by the US Government.

From DoD's Manual for Military Commissions.

(1) The accused declared, ordered, or otherwise indicated that there shall be no survivors
or surrender accepted;
(2) The accused thereby intended to threaten an adversary or to conduct hostilities such
that there would be no survivors or surrender accepted;
(3) It was foreseeable that circumstances would be such that a practicable and reasonable
ability to accept surrender would exist;
(4) The accused was in a position of effective command or control over the subordinate
forces to which the declaration or order was directed; and
(5) The conduct took place in the context of and was associated with hostilities.
ALT
11:58 AM · Mar 13, 2026

✋ Former USG war crimes lawyer here.

Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning:

Denial of quarter—even the declaration of no quarter—is a war crime.

And recognized as such by the US Government.

From DoD's Manual for Military Commissions.

— Brian Finucane (@bcfinucane.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T15:58:04.698Z

Brian Finucane
‪@bcfinucane.bsky.social‬

"Declaring that no quarter will be given" is specifically prohibited by Art 23 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, which means it is a war crime under US domestic law by virtue of the War Crimes Act (18 U.S. Code § 2441).
12:16 PM · Mar 13, 2026

"Declaring that no quarter will be given" is specifically prohibited by Art 23 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, which means it is a war crime under US domestic law by virtue of the War Crimes Act (18 U.S. Code § 2441).

— Brian Finucane (@bcfinucane.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T16:16:36.654Z

[leftstreet]

1. Can you hang people for war crimes?

[erronis]

7. Just give them "no quarter". Then you can do anything you want to them. (per hogs-breath).

[JBTaurus83]

2. They don't care

And no one will be held accountable.

[WSHazel]

3. We may not have a choice

We are going to have to convince the rest of the world to trust us again if Trump is ever removed from power, and the rest of the world will demand accountability.

I am terrified about a coordinated attack on the dollar. A currency collapse is often how empires end.

[orangecrush]

5. Yes they will

I will not comply in advance

[JBTaurus83]

17. I'll be very happy if you are correct

I’ve seen zero evidence for your assertion.

[ultralite001]

4. In Kegsbreath's mind, the only war crime will occur

when Iran does not surrender, unconditionally or otherwise...

[orangecrush]

6. Obvious to anyone but that fuckwit

That ain't gonna happen.

[pfitz59]

8. Did he actually say that?

'No quarter'? What a loon!

[Figarosmom]

9. I bet he was itching to use that

Phrase like he just found out what it meant.


Ship them all to the Hauge when this is over.

[OGBuzz]

10. helluva message to be sending to the Iranians as the U.S. prepares....

for a possible land incursion. Just read that 2,500 marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed to the Middle East. It doesn't look like Trump is feeling the end of the war in his bones yet.

[LiberalArkie]

11. I wonder if he flies this flag at home?

[BeneteauBum]

13. My self deleted message was too violent

I practice peace. Sometimes things just piss me off and I react in a manner which I generally don’t comport myself.

Peace ☮️

[progressoid]

14. It's all moot.

We (America) have violated numerous treaties and international laws without consequence. It's folly to think that this one will be any different.

[spanone]

15. Don will pardon them. He's used to pardoning large unruly crowds.

[Buddyzbuddy]

16. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If Commodus pardons Whiskey Pete, can't he still be brought back for military trials? Just a thought.

Ultimately, I would love to see them in front of the Hague. But I'm aware, that is not likely.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

18. There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully.

Reposted by Mike Masnick
https://bsky.app/profile/masnick.com

Owen Barcala
‪@obarcala.bsky.social‬

There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully. He's using "no quarter" because he thinks it means "we're being tough," but it's a real term and opponents will take a different meaning

This pushes opponents to declare no quarter because we did it first

‪Matt Novak‬
‪@paleofuture.bsky.social‬
· 12h
Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.
Pete Hegseth



2:06 PM · Mar 13, 2026

There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully. He's using "no quarter" because he thinks it means "we're being tough," but it's a real term and opponents will take a different meaning

This pushes opponents to declare no quarter because we did it first

— Owen Barcala (@obarcala.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T18:06:30.258Z

Matt Novak
‪@paleofuture.bsky.social‬

Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.
Pete Hegseth



11:36 AM · Mar 13, 2026

Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.

— Matt Novak (@paleofuture.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T15:36:46.421Z

[moondust]

19. "No stupid rules of engagement."

He said that on March 2.

Link to tweet