I read Treason, a novel set during the Empire of Star Wars, during the building of the first Death Star. The main character is Grand Admiral Thrawn, but he’s only the catalyst for several other standout characters. The most obvious candidate for treason is his previous assistant, Eli Vanto, former lieutenant commander in the Imperial Navy, now Lieutenant Eli’van’to of the Chiss Ascendancy. Eli has not been seen inside the Empire for some time, with no notice to anyone of his whereabouts. Now he’s deep inside the Empire’s borders, wearing a Chiss uniform on a Chiss warship, quietly investigating a group that has attacked the Chiss.

Admiral Ar’alani, in charge of the Chiss Ascendancy warship Steadfast, is Eli’s commander. She’s sneaking into the Empire to hunt her people’s enemy, the Grysk. If she is caught it might start a war between the Empire and the Chiss, so, treason?

Thrawn himself is a Chiss warrior who has sworn fealty to Emperor Palpatine of the Galactic Empire. Ar’alani trusts him, but she says her leaders did not plan for Thrawn to become a Grand Admiral in an opposing navy. They work together to defeat a Grysk force within the Empire. Is this treason?

Director Krennic is in charge of building the Death Star; his assistant, Ronan, firmly believes Krennic is nobly doing what is best for the Empire. Grand Moff Tarkin opposes Krennic because he wants to control the Death Star himself. Grand Admiral Savit opposes the Death Star because he sees the vast resources going into it as a waste; he wants the weapons and supplies used for other things. Grand Admiral Thrawn wants squadrons of small TIE fighters instead of one big weapon; his new TIE fighters have individual hyperdrives and shields, making them more versatile. Darth Vader likes the new TIE fighters, but supports the Emperor in whatever decision he makes. The Emperor wants the Death Star.

Is it treason to oppose the Emperor’s decisions? Is it treason to undermine the other people supporting the Empire when you disagree with them? Is it treason to support the Emperor’s decisions even when those decisions lead to bad results?

Now set aside the trope of evil empire. Is it treason to oppose the President? Is it wise to undermine other Americans, when you disagree with them? Is it wise to support the President’s decisions, even when those decisions lead to bad results?