Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2388: Activities affecting armed forces during war

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

During wartime, it is a criminal offense to make false statements to interfere with U.S. military operations, cause insubordination in the armed forces, obstruct recruitment, or harbor someone who commits these acts. Penalties include fines and imprisonment up to twenty years.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever, when the United States is at war, willfully makes or conveys false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operation or success of the military or naval forces of the United States or to promote the success of its enemies; or Whoever, when the United States is at war, willfully causes or attempts to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States, or willfully obstructs the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States, to the injury of the service or the United States, or attempts to do so— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both. If two or more persons conspire to violate subsection (a) of this section and one or more such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be punished as provided in said subsection (a). Whoever harbors or conceals any person who he knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect, has committed, or is about to commit, an offense under this section, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. This section shall apply within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, and on the high seas, as well as within the United States.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.