Military - Government relations

The relationhip between the civilian government and the military leadership after the holocaust, Ranging from close co-operation to the declaration of martial law, has been one of the most dynamic features of colonial life as they flee from the Cylons. The personal relationship between Adama and President Roslin has encapsulated much of the delicate balance between the two establishments.

Establishment

Roslin and Adama clash almost immediately as they assume their new leadership roles with Lee Adama deciding that the president's orders to initiate civilian rescues trump the Fleet commander's to regroup. Miniseries, Night 1 Later, as the Fleet assembles around Ragnar Roslin meets with Adama and persuades him to leave the colonies with the civilians rather than fight a war that has already been lost. Roslin and Adama come to an agreement to respect and not intervene in each other's spheres. Roslin alone who knows that Adama does not know the location of earth, a secret she agrees to keep. Miniseries, Night 2

Early relations

The relationhip appears to start well. Roslin and Adama consult and agree over the decision to destroy the Olympic Carrier (33) and later when Roslin visits Galactica to congratulates Galactia's crew after the chase Adama insists on full protocol out of respect for the office (Water). In the coming weeks the two meet often to discuss critical issues within the Fleet, Roslin is often seen on Galactica and Adama on Colonial One.

Roslin chastises Adama for his overcommitment to Kara Thrace's rescue mission (You Can't Go Home Again), Adama dismisses the President, telling her that it is a military matter. Adama eventually calls off the expensive rescue mission. .

Another disagreement surfaces over what to do with the captured Gemenon Traveller copy of Leoben Conoy (Flesh and Bone). Adama wants the copy destroyed, but Roslin insists he be interrogated. After Leoben causes chaos within the Fleet by lying that he has hidden a nuclear bomb Roslin orders his ejection from an airlock. Just before this occurs Leoben whispers in the President's ear "Adama's a Cylon]." These words appear to place suspicions in Roslin's mind.

Roslin orders that Gaius Baltar's newly functional cylon detector be used to test Adama (Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down). At the same time Adama's suspicions fall on Ellen Tigh, and the two clash over who should be tested first, with Baltar caught in the middle, constantly switching the samples.

Deposition of the President and Martial Law

Beginning with the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid Roslin becomes increasingly convinced of her role as the dying leader, as prophesied by Pythia. Adama is distinctly less religious and the president goes behind his back to recruit Starbuck for a mission to retrieve the Arrow of Apollo from the newly-discovered Kobol (Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I), revealing to Thrace that Adama does not truely know the location of Earth. The execution of this plan results in Adama's decision to depose the President (Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II). A squad of Marines is dispatched to Colonial One with Tigh and Lee Adama.

As Roslin is arrested Lee turns his weapon upon Tigh. Laura Roslin however decides to go peacefully, and her and Lee thrown in Galactica's brig. Adama does not impose martial law, but it appears that the executive branch of government does not function, Vice-President Baltar does not assume office.