PDF Summary:The Midnight Rider Rides Again, by Derek Johnson

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.

(continued)...

In response to a national emergency, the administration declared Proclamation 9994 on March 13, 2020, and further, on March 27, 2020, the President utilized his emergency authority to call up 1 million Reserve force members by enacting Executive Order 13912.

President Trump granted the Secretary of Defense the power to call up Reserves to active duty through Executive Order 13919, which was issued at the end of April in 2020.

The directives on federal continuity issued between 2017 and 2022 established the framework for maintaining government operations.

The implementation of Federal Continuity Directive 1 took place on January 17, 2017, and it remained in effect from 2018 through 2022, encompassing a document of 64 pages. The passage outlines the methods by which the three branches of the U.S. government systematically address crises, highlighting their strategies for reestablishing functionality and assigning responsibilities during emergencies.

The directive PPD-40 mandates that the United States adhere to a policy that ensures the resilience and safeguarding of governmental structures as per the Constitution, while also consistently carrying out essential governmental functions, by employing thorough strategies for maintaining operational continuity, ensuring the steadfast execution of government duties, and preserving governance in accordance with constitutional tenets during any emergencies.

It is the essential duty of the Federal Government to steer and uphold the country during significant crises, which is vital for the sustained achievement of efforts to ensure continuity.

How Trump became a "Wartime President" through the War Powers Act, and how this empowered the Military Occupation

The article explores how the ex-President Donald Trump came to be known as a "Commander in Chief during wartime," emphasizing the influence of war authority laws on military actions and the related duties to report such operations.

The Space Force was officially established as a new branch of the military, and concurrent updates to military regulations were announced on the twentieth of December in the year 2019.

During President Trump's term, the defense infrastructure of the United States underwent considerable changes. The establishment of the Space Force expanded the military's jurisdiction to include outer space activities. Additionally, the first major revision since 1950 was made to the rules governing the conduct of service members, which is frequently referred to as the military's judicial framework.

He consequently stepped into the position of a wartime commander, utilizing the powers conferred by the 1973 law that regulates military involvement.

The reorganization of the military and a thorough analysis of the 1973 legislation related to war powers granted Trump increased powers in his role as a "Wartime President." President Trump activated a million Reserve Component members, shifting them to active duty through a different legal avenue.

President Trump's declaration in March 2020, in which he likened his role to that of a "wartime president" amid the COVID-19 pandemic, implies that he assumed responsibilities typically associated with a nation at war, although this situation bore no relation to the legislation governing military conflict authorization.

The War Powers Act's Section 1550 required Trump to report to Congress on military actions every 180 days

Pursuant to the requirements of 50 USC Section 1550, Trump was required to furnish Congress with semiannual briefings on military actions authorized by the AUMF. The summaries were anticipated to outline the nations or organizations implicated, assess possible risks, detail the actions taken, and forecast the likely scope and duration of these actions.

The story also explores how, during periods of conflict, American military units join forces and align with international military groups. It was crucial to conduct an inquiry to ascertain whether these outside forces were operating within the bounds set by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

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

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.

The sequence of occurrences on January 6, 2021, culminated in Biden's swearing-in ceremony, all of which were components of a strategic scheme designed to maintain the uninterrupted operation of governmental duties.

The summary describes the unconventional steps implemented to ensure the seamless continuity of governmental power during President Joe Biden's swearing-in, which involved unusual military activities and deviations from traditional inaugural customs.

The enactment of Executive Order 13848 before the events of January 6, 2021, invalidated the vote tallying procedure.

The claims suggest that the chaos which unfolded at the beginning of the year was anticipated and successfully neutralized by implementing a policy that allegedly allows for military intervention. The actions taken align with the protocols set forth by the Federal Continuity Directives.

The directives for federal continuity established the foundation for military involvement.

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

The oddities that were evident as Biden's presidency began bore a closer resemblance to a military funeral than to a traditional transition of power.

The story indicates that the rituals signifying the start of Biden's presidency deviated from traditional inaugural practices, more closely mirroring the dignified ceremonies often seen at military funerals.

A three-volley salute, typically reserved for military funerals, was accorded to Biden, rather than the traditional 21-gun salute that marks the inauguration of a new President.

During the ceremony that commenced President Joe Biden's tenure on January 20, 2021, he received a tribute of three gunshots, an act usually associated with military commemorations, which stands in stark contrast to the conventional 21-gun salute expected at presidential inaugurations.

The inauguration of Joe Biden, coupled with the events of January 6, represented a deliberate strategy to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the government, as indicated by the deviation from customary inaugural traditions and military protocols. The publication examines the unprecedented magnitude of military presence and highlights variations from typical transition procedures, particularly noting the unique military salutes observed during the presidential inauguration of Biden.

The 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 the Biden administration.

President Joe Biden has broadened the scope of the government's resilience initiatives, building upon foundations laid during Donald Trump's tenure, rather than forging a unique trajectory for his administration.

President Biden has extended a range of emergency proclamations and administrative directives that were initially put in place by Trump.

The extension of Executive Orders 13818, 13848, and 13959 encompasses measures to protect human rights and shield against meddling in the electoral system. Chinese companies

President Biden has upheld several executive orders from his predecessor's term, such as EO 13818, while also preserving the directives known as EO 13848 and EO 13959. The rules pertain to human rights abuses, interference with the United States' electoral mechanisms, and restrictions placed on Chinese corporations. When leadership transitions occur, it's uncommon for the new administration to recognize the policies that remain consistent, as they often focus on setting themselves apart by prioritizing different issues.

Biden has not introduced any substantial new measures or directives pertaining to military policy, indicating a persistent commitment to the strategies established for the continuity of government during Trump's tenure.

Under the War Powers Act, the President is empowered to delegate duties to the Secretary of Defense.

The document was directed to the Secretary of Defense's office in 2020, in accordance with Section 1550. The memorandum's intent is evident when considering its role in maintaining the continuity of governmental functions amidst a hostile seizure. The passage outlines how 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 text suggests that Biden 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.