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The Midnight Rider Rides Again by Derek Johnson: Overview

A book in a modern bookstore

Are you curious about the inner workings of military strategy and government continuity? Have you ever wondered how presidential administrations handle national emergencies?

In The Midnight Rider Rides Again, Derek Johnson explores these topics in depth. This book delves into operational security, centers of gravity in military planning, and the actions taken by recent administrations to ensure government continuity during crises.

Let's take a closer look at what Johnson reveals in The Midnight Rider Rides Again and how it might change your perspective on national security.

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Overview of The Midnight Rider Rides Again

The Midnight Rider Rides Again by Derek Johnson examines the concepts of operational security and centers of gravity—key strategic pillars for US military forces. The book outlines how these principles were instrumental during the Vietnam War and World War II, shaping tactics to overcome vulnerabilities and safeguard vital interests.

The book then explores the timeline of Trump administration policies and executive orders from 2015 to 2023, designed to maintain government continuity in the face of emergencies. It analyzes how Trump wielded powers as a "wartime president" and how Biden has continued certain strategies pioneered under his predecessor.

Operational Security and Centers of Gravity

Operational security (OPSEC) and centers of gravity (COG) are crucial concepts in military strategy. Let's explore how these principles shape military operations and tactics.

OPSEC is all about protecting critical information from falling into enemy hands. It's a process that involves identifying and managing essential info to reduce the risk of adversaries understanding and exploiting military operations. This concept has its roots in the Vietnam War, where it emerged from Operation PURPLE DRAGON. On January 22, 1988, President Reagan made OPSEC official by signing National Security Decision Directive 298, establishing it as a key component of US national security.

The main goal of OPSEC is to make it harder for adversaries to detect US military activities. To achieve this, military planners need to think like the enemy. They assess potential weaknesses by considering how adversaries might gather intelligence that could undermine US operational and battlefield plans. This approach covers all aspects of military operations, from initial preparations and maintenance to combat duties.

During the Vietnam War, the US military realized they needed to step up their game when it came to protecting their combat tactics. Despite increased air attacks, enemies kept managing to dodge American strategies. This led to growing concerns about potential leaks of vital intelligence. The Operation PURPLE DRAGON team took a hard look at their tactical vulnerabilities and improved their communication and security measures. This resulted in a brief uptick in the effectiveness of their military operations.

Now, let's talk about centers of gravity. In military terms, a COG is the source of power that gives a person or group the ability to keep going, take action, or stay strong in the face of challenges. It's super important in combat operations and strategic planning because it represents the core of resilience, whether moral or physical, that's vital for success in any operation.

When formulating strategies, military planners focus on identifying their key advantage (their own COG) and figuring out how to protect it. At the same time, they're looking for ways to undermine their opponent's COG. They assess both allied and opposing crucial components to determine which areas need to be strengthened or weakened. COGs can be many things - a source of influence, a known contentious dynamic, and they can change over time and during different stages of an operation.

The Tirpitz: A Naval Center of Gravity

Let's look at a real-world example of a center of gravity: the German battleship Tirpitz during World War II. This massive ship was a game-changer for naval operations in the Atlantic. The Tirpitz was so powerful that it threatened essential Atlantic supply routes, putting British naval forces at risk of losing control of the UK.

But here's the thing - the Tirpitz was so big that it needed specialized maintenance facilities. These were located in Normandy, France. The British realized that to protect their vital convoys, they needed to take out the Tirpitz's repair facilities. This led to a daring raid by the Commandos, often called one of the greatest raids in history. They successfully disabled the Tirpitz's repair facilities, effectively neutralizing the threat it posed.

This example shows how identifying and targeting an enemy's center of gravity can have a massive impact on the course of a conflict. By taking out the Tirpitz's support infrastructure, the British were able to mitigate a major threat without having to directly confront the powerful battleship itself.

Trump's Continuity of Government Timeline

Now, let's shift gears and look at how these military concepts played out in recent US history. We'll explore the timeline of key policies, executive orders, and strategic military actions executed by President Trump from 2015 to 2023 to implement the government's continuity plan.

In June 2015, just days before Trump announced his presidential bid, the Department of Defense released the Manual on the Law of War. This document set out the legal boundaries for military leadership and became the foundation for legal standards in administering areas under military control.

Fast forward to December 2016, and we see the establishment of the Military Justice Act. This law clearly defined the separate spheres of authority between military and civilian judicial systems. It highlighted the unique responsibilities of military commanders, which operate independently from those of the President and the Federal Government. This established clear boundaries and areas of authority between military and civilian legal frameworks.

National Emergencies and Executive Orders

From 2017 to 2020, Trump implemented several measures that activated the government's contingency plans. Here's a rundown of some key actions:

These actions show how Trump used his presidential powers to respond to various national emergencies and activate contingency plans.

Federal Continuity Directives

Between 2017 and 2022, several directives on federal continuity were issued, establishing the framework for maintaining government operations during crises. Federal Continuity Directive 1, implemented on January 17, 2017, remained in effect from 2018 through 2022. This 64-page document outlined how the three branches of the US government systematically address crises, detailing their strategies for reestablishing functionality and assigning responsibilities during emergencies.

Another key directive was PPD-40, which mandated that the US adhere to a policy ensuring the resilience and safeguarding of governmental structures as per the Constitution. This directive emphasized the importance of consistently carrying out essential governmental functions, employing thorough strategies for maintaining operational continuity, and preserving governance in accordance with constitutional tenets during any emergencies.

These directives highlight the federal government's essential duty to guide and uphold the country during significant crises, which is vital for the sustained achievement of efforts to ensure continuity.

Trump as a "wartime President"

During his term, Trump came to be known as a "Commander in Chief during wartime." This designation was influenced by war authority laws and their impact on military actions. Let's explore how this played out.

On December 20, 2019, the Space Force was officially established as a new branch of the military. Concurrent with this, major updates to military regulations were announced. This marked the first significant revision to the rules governing the conduct of service members since 1950, effectively updating the military's judicial framework.

These changes, along with a thorough analysis of the 1973 legislation related to war powers, granted Trump increased powers in his role as a "Wartime President." He used these powers to activate a million Reserve Component members, shifting them to active duty through a different legal avenue.

It's worth noting that when Trump declared himself a "wartime president" in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he was implying that he had assumed responsibilities typically associated with a nation at war. However, this situation wasn't directly related to legislation governing military conflict authorization.

Reporting Requirements Under the War Powers Act

Under Section 1550 of the War Powers Act, Trump was required to report to Congress on military actions every 180 days. These reports were expected to outline the nations or organizations involved, assess potential risks, detail the actions taken, and forecast the likely scope and duration of these actions.

The War Powers Act, also known as the War Powers Resolution, specifies the conditions that permit a declaration of war, including those identified as national emergencies in accordance with Section 1621. It requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating military action.

It's important to note that during periods of conflict, American military units often join forces and align with international military groups. This collaboration necessitated inquiries to determine whether these outside forces were operating within the bounds set by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

The Federal Continuity Directives 1 and 2, along with the Presidential Emergency Action Documents, specify the conditions that allow for the expansion of presidential powers. The system's architectural design for military coordination and messaging granted the executive branch the capability to direct armed forces, thereby positioning the presidency at a distinct advantage in wartime scenarios.

January 6 and Biden's Inauguration

The events of January 6, 2021, and Biden's subsequent swearing-in ceremony were components of a strategic scheme designed to maintain the uninterrupted operation of governmental duties. Let's break down what happened and how it relates to continuity of government plans.

Before the events of January 6, Executive Order 13848 was enacted. According to the claims in the book, this order invalidated the vote tallying procedure. The chaos that unfolded at the beginning of the year was allegedly anticipated and successfully neutralized by implementing a policy that allows for military intervention. These actions align with the protocols set forth by the Federal Continuity Directives.

The sequence of events called for military involvement that was in line with the rules to ensure the nation's governance remained uninterrupted. Measures were established to ensure the continuous operation of leadership and governance should a major emergency occur.

Unusual Aspects of Biden's Inauguration

Interestingly, the rituals signifying the start of Biden's presidency deviated from traditional inaugural practices. In fact, they more closely mirrored the dignified ceremonies often seen at military funerals.

One striking example of this was the three-volley salute accorded to Biden during the ceremony on January 20, 2021. This type of salute is typically reserved for military commemorations, standing in stark contrast to the conventional 21-gun salute expected at presidential inaugurations.

The book suggests that these deviations from customary inaugural traditions, coupled with the unprecedented magnitude of military presence, were part of a deliberate strategy to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the government. The unique military salutes observed during Biden's inauguration are highlighted as particularly noteworthy in this context.

Continuity in Biden's Policies

An examination of policies enacted since the beginning of 2021 reveals that they have continued along the path established by the previous administration, rather than demonstrating the unique policy approaches typical of a new administration. President Joe Biden has broadened the scope of the government's resilience initiatives, building upon foundations laid during Donald Trump's tenure.

Extension of Trump-era Orders

Biden has extended a range of emergency proclamations and administrative directives that were initially put in place by Trump. For example, he's upheld several executive orders from his predecessor's term, such as EO 13818, EO 13848, and EO 13959. These orders pertain to human rights abuses, interference with the United States' electoral mechanisms, and restrictions placed on Chinese corporations.

It's worth noting that when leadership transitions occur, it's uncommon for the new administration to recognize the policies that remain consistent. New administrations often focus on setting themselves apart by prioritizing different issues. However, Biden's continuation of these policies suggests a level of continuity in national security and emergency management approaches.

Delegation of War Powers

Under the War Powers Act, the President is empowered to delegate duties to the Secretary of Defense. In 2020, a document was directed to the Secretary of Defense's office in accordance with Section 1550. The memorandum's intent becomes clear when considering its role in maintaining the continuity of governmental functions amidst a hostile seizure.

Specifically, the President has delegated the duties and authorities assigned to him in sections 1285(a) to (e) of Public Law 116-92 to the Secretary of Defense. Congress was briefed on the details of military involvement and support for coalition partners as outlined in specific segments of the United States Code, ranging from section 1550(a) to section 1550(e) of Title 50.

This action reflects the empowerment sanctioned by the preceding President, Trump, following the directives of Executive Order 13919. The continuation of these delegations under Biden suggests that he has continued to employ strategies akin to those of Trump, indicating a consistent approach to the continuation of government functions throughout their time in office.

It's important to note that Biden has not introduced any substantial new measures or directives pertaining to military policy. This further indicates a persistent commitment to the strategies established for the continuity of government during Trump's tenure.

In conclusion, The Midnight Rider Rides Again provides a detailed look at the continuity of government strategies employed by recent administrations. From operational security measures to the delegation of war powers, the book reveals the complex web of policies and actions designed to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the US government in times of crisis. Whether you agree with these measures or not, understanding them is crucial for any citizen interested in how our government operates in challenging times.

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