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December 19, 2018

Rachel VanLandingham in the news, comments on the extraordinary case of Maj. Mathew L. Golsteyn

Professor Rachel VanLandingham lent her extensive legal and military expertise to both and this week, commenting on President Trump’s intervention into the complex and extraordinary case of Maj. Mathew L. Golsteyn, A Green Beret charged by the Army in the killing of a man linked to the Taliban. 

Professor VanLandingham, who was chief of international law with United States Central Command under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama, said Mr. Trump’s interference could undermine trust in the military justice system even more broadly. 

“We care because we expect the military to kill the enemy when they’re supposed to,” she said. “We do not kill them when they’re in our custody.”

She added, “That’s the difference between rule of law and ‘Lord of the Flies.’