Like in Independence Day, can a President fight on the front lines?
In the 1996 movie Independence Day, the President takes to the skies in a fighter plane to help fight the aliens in the climactic battle. It makes for an engaging action movie, but seems very inappropriate given that he's supposed to be commanding the entire armed forces (not just a fighter squadron).
As Commander in Chief, I suppose he can do anything he wants, including making himself a fighter pilot. But it also seems like a bad idea from the perspective of the government - so I wouldn't be surprised if he was legally forbidden from engaging in lethal action himself.
Are there any legal mechanisms that would prevent a President from fighting on the front lines of a battle?
Best Answer
There are no legal mechanisms that would prevent a president from fighting.
There is nothing to stop a President from fighting in a war. But you have to ask the question what would be the effect on morale if the President was killed or captured?
The last sitting President to actually engage in combat was President James Monroe during the War of 1812 and the last sitting President to come under fire was President Lincoln during the "American Civil War".
In history George Washington did in fact go out into the field with his troops during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Washington got Congress to pass a Conscription act to fill out this force, to 12,950 soldiers. Washington inspected these troops in Harrisburg PA, held a meeting with his federal agents in Bedfored PA, to establish a policy that would defuse the situation. Then Washington inspected another wing of the army in Cumberland Maryland. Washington did not lead this army over the mountains or into battle.
Once it got to western Pennsylvania there wasn't much of a battle anyway.
But for todays troops presidents going out into the battlefield leading their troops is too risky, the amount of snipers, landmines and modern equipment makes it almost impossible for them to survive.
Olden kings used to ride out into battle but they weren't front line; infact they were at the back surrounded by foot soldiers and archers. Try that today and a sniper rifle or a blown into bits by a B-52
I would say if Independence Day happened in real life the president would probably at most just wave goodbye and/or give a handshake and a medal of bravery to the brave soldier that takes off to fight for his country.
But since its a movie my guess is that they did this scene to make the American president look like a hero or some sort.
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Can the President fight in wars?
It provides that the president can send the U.S. Armed Forces into action abroad only by declaration of war by Congress, "statutory authorization", or in case of "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces".Can a US president lead troops into battle?
George Washington arrived at Cumberland in October 1794 as President and as leader of the troops in order to put down the citizens' revolt known as the Whiskey Rebellion. It was the first and only time that a sitting President has led troops into battle.Who goes in front line in war?
A front line (alternatively front-line or frontline) in military terminology is the position(s) closest to the area of conflict of an armed force's personnel and equipment, usually referring to land forces.Who was the last president to fight in a war while in office?
Bush was the last president to have served in combat (as an aircraft carrier-based bomber pilot in WWII).2020 Independence Day (HD) - A Time for Choosing - We Must Fight for Freedom - President Reagan
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