Six Democratic lawmakers, all with military or intelligence backgrounds—Elissa Slotkin, Mark Kelly, Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, and Maggie Goodlander—released a video urging U.S. service members and intelligence personnel to refuse any illegal orders from the Trump administration, emphasizing their oath to the Constitution over unlawful commands.
The video, which does not specify particular orders but highlights the duty to “stand up for our laws,” has been interpreted by some as a call to persevere against potential abuses, echoing the historic naval motto “don’t give up the ship” in resisting illegal directives. Perceived concerns stem from President Trump’s past actions, such as deploying federal troops to cities like Portland in 2020, which critics argue violated laws like the Posse Comitatus Act prohibiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
In response, President Trump blasted the lawmakers on social media, accusing them of “seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH” and demanding they be arrested and tried as traitors for encouraging mutiny. Trump and many others claim the video amounts to sedition under U.S. law, as it allegedly incites disobedience within the military against a duly elected commander-in-chief.
Debates have erupted over the legality of Trump’s military orders, with some legal experts and veterans claiming that actions like using troops for border enforcement or urban unrest could indeed be unlawful if they infringe on civil liberties. Conversely, critics of the Democrats assert that the video is exaggerated and inflammatory, as no specific illegal orders from Trump have been cited, potentially undermining the military chain of command.
We want to ask you, the reader: do you believe Trump is giving illegal orders to the military? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on the Democrats’ claims in the video.
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SEE IT: Democrats release video urging members of the military and CIA to disobey orders
