2016 video shows Hegseth saying the military cannot carry out unlawful orders | CNN
2016 video shows Hegseth saying the military cannot carry out unlawful orders | CNN
2016 video shows Hegseth saying the military cannot carry out unlawful orders | CNN

What he means is that when the chain of command orders it, it's lawful. He's wrong, but that is what he means.
Well... Yeah. That's the whole "might makes right" philosophy. It's the entire backbone of this entire administration's code of conduct, adding "wealth makes might."