Theory or Fantasy? Its Pure Fantasy

Understanding COOP, COG and ECG

Devolution and The Law of War Manual Theories

My name is Andrew Fayal, also known as @SpartanAltsobaPatriot, and together with Chris Lambe aka @LibertyForAllo7, we aim to debunk two theories falsely propagated by individuals named Jon Herold and Derek Johnson. Given the subject matter, providing some background information about Chris and I is essential.

Chris Lambe has an extensive Emergency and Disaster Management background, holding a Master of Science degree in the field from Trident University, where he maintained an exceptional 3.967 GPA. His academic pursuits have equipped him with in-depth knowledge directly related to Continuity of Government (COG) and Continuity of Operations (COOP), along with a broad range of subjects within the discipline. During his degree program, Chris covered an array of crucial topics, including: Survey of Emergency and Disaster Management, Issues of Terrorism, Emergency Planning and Methodology, Emergency Operations, Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability and Protection, Public Health and the Aftermath of a Disaster, Disaster Relief, Infectious Disease Mitigation Following a Natural Disaster, Capstone Project, Risk Assessment and Management, Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness, Crisis and Emergency Communication, Leadership in Emergency Management, Legal and Ethical Issues in Emergency Management, Humanitarian Assistance and International Disaster Response, Recovery and Reconstruction after Disasters, Incident Command Systems and Emergency Operations Centers, Community Resilience and Engagement, Environmental Hazards and Natural Disasters, Financial Management in Emergency Management, Technology and Innovation in Disaster Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Emergency Management, Psychological and Social Impacts of Disasters and Research Methods in Emergency Management. With this diverse range of coursework, Chris has developed a comprehensive understanding of emergency and disaster management principles, strategies, and best practices. In addition, his academic achievements and broad knowledge base make him a valuable asset in debunking misinformation and promoting accurate information about Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG). Chris also served in the US Army for 11 years: 8 years active duty and 3 years in the National Guard. He was a Chaplain Assistant and held a Top Secret/SCI clearance his entire time while he served.

As for myself, I am a retired U.S. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist with 22 years of experience in this field. I continue to engage in this career path to this day, having served in three combat tours. Throughout my career, I held a Top Secret/SCI clearance for over 15 years. I have trained over 800 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Warfare Specialists in areas such as improvised explosive device defeat, Special Operation Forces integration, demolition operations, small arms and small unit tactics, as well as post-blast analysis for Tier 1 response and special operations missions before combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have also trained over 600 Naval Special Warfare operators, U.S. Navy SEALs, on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, as well as Improvised Explosive Device Recognition, Reaction, and Reporting, before and during combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, I have trained over 10,000 infantry Marines on Improvised Explosive Device Recognition, Reaction, and Reporting before their combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, I have provided training to more than 400 law enforcement and first responders in counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) awareness, utilizing the 3Rs (Recognize, React, and Report) and EODIA (Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Integrated Assaulter) courses of instruction that I personally created and wrote.

The MAGA community must understand that Jon Hareld and Derek Johnson have profited from spreading misinformation and fictional claims. In addition, their theories, namely Devolution and the "Law of War Manual/Martial Law" theories, have caused unnecessary fear, false hope, and confusion within the MAGA movement. As the 2024 elections rapidly approach, we do not need these distractions and misinformation. We have a President to elect, and it is imperative that we actively engage in our community governments as soon as possible.

Our purpose here is to provide accurate information and clarify the role of continuity of government (COG), which is the core concept in both theories. Our focus today will be on continuity of government, continuity of operations, and enduring constitutional government. We aim to define their purpose, identify who these programs depend upon, and clarify the concept of National Essential Functions. These three concepts are specifically designed to address national emergencies and crises, ensuring the preservation of essential functions within the framework of continuity of government.

It is essential to understand that Continuity of Government COG and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans exist within every department of the federal, state, tribal, and local governments as part of the National Continuity Policy. These concepts are not intended for "secret" missions or processes, as described in Derek and Jon's theories, both of them. Although the plans within each department are classified depending on the nature of that department, the concepts of programs themselves are open source for the public to see. 

As stated in the Continuity Guidance Circular:

"Enduring constitutional government, continuity of government, and continuity of operations are dependent upon the foundation of preparedness built by each and every individual and community. No level of government can perform essential functions and provide critical services without the support of the rest of the Nation. Private sector entities, critical infrastructure, non-governmental organizations, communities, individuals, families, and households play a vital role." See the Continuity Guidance Circular here.

So, what is Continuity of Government (COG)?

As defined in the Continuity Guidance Circular:

"Continuity of government (COG) is a coordinated effort within each of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to ensure that essential functions continue to be performed before, during, and after an emergency or threat. COG is an outcome of a viable continuity capability, not a program. Continuity of government is intended to preserve the statutory and constitutional authority of elected officials at all levels of government across the United States." 

What is Continuity of Operations?

As defined in the Continuity Guidance Circular:

"Continuity of operations (COOP) ensures an individual organization can continue to perform its essential functions, provide essential services, and deliver core capabilities during a disruption to normal operations. Effective continuity of operations activities provide a baseline capability and represent the minimum standard required by a comprehensive, integrated national continuity program."

And what is Enduring Constitutional Government?

As defined in the Continuity Guidance Circular:

"Enduring Constitutional Government (ECG) – A cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to preserve the constitutional framework under which people are governed. Enduring constitutional government focuses on the ability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities, provide for orderly succession and appropriate transition of leadership, and provide for interoperability and support of essential functions during a catastrophic emergency."

To fully understand what COOP, COG, and ECG are used for, we must first define some terms. We will then look at the National Continuity Policy and National Essential Functions and the relationships they have with each other. Finally, the relationships between these concepts and the actual NEFs reduce Jon and Derek's theories from truth to fantasy. 

In the first term, we will look at continuity as defined in Continuity Guidance Circular:

Continuity is the ability to provide uninterrupted services and support while maintaining organizational viability before, during, and after an incident that disrupts normal operations.

Devolution is the transfer of statutory authority and responsibility from an organization's primary operating staff and facilities to other staff and alternate locations to sustain essential functions when necessary.

Here is a video of Chris showing the details within the Federal Continuity Program:

National Continuity Policy is the program of the United States to maintain a comprehensive and effective continuity capability, composed of COOP, COG, and ECG programs, to ensure the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuing performance of NEFs under all conditions (PPD-40, National Continuity Policy).

National Essential Functions (NEFs) – Select functions necessary to lead and sustain the Nation during a catastrophic emergency and that, therefore, must be supported through COOP, COG, and ECG capabilities. 

The National Continuity Policy, COOP, COG, and ECG are the means of a comprehensive and effective continuity to preserve our form of government strictly UNDER the Constitution. Did you catch that? The entire intent at the Federal level within the Executive Branch is to Preserve the Constitutional form of government under the Constitution. This National Essential Function is the key to understanding the program! And it is why Jon and Derek's theory, now fantasy, IS NOT in play—not convinced yet? Okay, let's go further. 

The National Continuity Policy says, "the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuing performance of NEFs under all conditions (PPD-40, National Continuity Policy). 

Here is Chris articulating the inherent shortcomings present in the information found within Derek's "The Documents" on his website:

Now let us look at what the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Continuity Directive 1 says:

"As established in PPD-40, "it is the policy of the United States to maintain a comprehensive and effective continuity capability through Continuity of Operations (COOP), Continuity of Government (COG), and Enduring Constitutional Government (ECG) programs, ensuring the resilience and preservation of government structure under the United States Constitution and the continuous performance of National Essential Functions (NEFs) under all conditions." See the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Continuity Directive 1 here. 

Now let's review what we have learned so far. There are three main points that we need to understand:

1. Continuity relies on private sector entities, critical infrastructure, non-governmental organizations, communities, individuals, families, and households to play a vital role. How can you rely on all these stakeholders when COG was initiated in secret? You can't.

2. COOP and COG's sole intent is to preserve the government structure under the U.S. Constitution and the continuous performance of NEF's.

3. NEFs MUST be supported through COOP, COG, and ECG capabilities. There is no other role except ensuring the resilience and preservation of government structure under the United States Constitution and the continuous performance of National Essential Functions (NEFs) under all conditions. NO OTHER ROLE!

Now, let us look at the NEFs for clarity and understanding. Remember, these are what COOP and COG are designed to maintain under the Constitution. See the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Continuity Directive 2, FCD-2 Table A-1. National Essential Functions here. 

National Essential Functions

NEF 1: Ensuring the continued functioning of our form of government under the United States Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government. The Constitution is still in play. Derek's theory is unconstitutional and claims that the Constitution is suspended. It's not! The Law of War Manual does not apply.

NEF 2: Providing leadership visible to the Nation and the world and maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people. 

Jon’s devolution theory claims Trump is secretly still president, UNDER COG! That can't happen, no matter what you want to believe. Enduring constitutional government, continuity of government, and continuity of operations depend upon the foundation of preparedness built by the American People! We the People!

NEF 3: Defending the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and preventing or interdicting attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interest.

NEF 4: Maintaining and fostering effective relationships with foreign nations.

NEF 5: Protecting against threats to the homeland and bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes or attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interests.

NEF 6: Providing a rapid and effective response to and recovery from the domestic consequences of an attack or other incident.

NEF 7: Protecting and stabilizing the Nation's economy and ensuring public confidence in its financial systems.

NEF 8: Providing for Federal Government services that address the national health, safety, and welfare needs of the United States.

In conclusion, the theories propagated by Jon Herold and Derek Johnson, namely Devolution and the "Law of War Manual/Martial Law" theories, are not grounded in the actual principles and practices of Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG). These theories, which have caused unnecessary fear, false hope, and confusion within the MAGA movement, are not supported by the facts.

The core purpose of COOP, COG, and Enduring Constitutional Government (ECG) is to ensure the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuous performance of National Essential Functions (NEFs) under all conditions. These programs are not designed for secret missions or processes, but rather to ensure the resilience and preservation of government structure under the United States Constitution.

A significant part of this resilience comes from our first responders. They are the front line of our continuity operations, ensuring the safety and security of our communities in times of crisis. Their role is often overlooked in these theories, in fact, they are taken completely out of the picture placing sole responsibility on the military, when they are the full force and their contribution is invaluable and deserves recognition.

As we approach the 2024 elections, it is more important than ever to focus on accurate information and active engagement in our community governments. Misinformation and unfounded theories only serve to distract and divide us. Let us instead focus on the facts, recognize the vital role of our first responders, and work together to ensure the continuation of our democratic processes and the preservation of our constitutional government.

Remember, the strength of our nation lies not in secret operations or unfounded theories, but in the resilience and unity of its people, including our first responders. Let's move forward with knowledge, understanding, and a commitment to truth.

Written by:

SpartanAltsobaPatriot 17th SOG

& Chris Lambe

For questions contact us on Truth Social

Chris - libertyforallo7

@LibertyForAllo7 Truth Social

@SpartanAltsobaPatriot Truth Social

We highly recommend you read Chris Lambe aka LibertyForAllo7 substack. It goes in great detail about COOP, COG and ECG. You are also part of our nations continuity plans!