Former President Donald Trump on Thursday accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition, an act he described as 'punishable by DEATH'. This was in response to a video posted by these lawmakers, all veterans, calling on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy what they deemed 'illegal orders'.
The video, which is approximately 90 seconds long, was initially shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday by Senator Elissa Slotkin. In the footage, Slotkin along with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, engaged directly with service members, acknowledging the immense stress they are currently experiencing.
Slotkin emphasized, The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution, highlighting the potential conflict between military orders and the laws governing the nation.
Trump's repost of these comments on Thursday coincided with a rising ambient tension in political discourse, often featured in both his administration and among his support base. In light of this, several Democrats accused Trump of acting imperiously, suggesting he was diverting public attention from pending disclosures about Jeffrey Epstein-related governance issues.
Democratic Lawmakers' Video Message
The Democratic lawmakers, while introducing themselves, remarked that the Trump administration is 'pitting our uniformed military against American citizens.' They concluded their remarks by urging service members to not only refuse illegal orders but also to maintain morale with phrases such as Don’t give up the ship.
Even though the video did not specify what illegal orders were being referenced, this statement comes as the Trump administration is attempting various National Guard deployments across different U.S. cities, with some assignments currently entangled in legal challenges.
Understanding Orders in Military Law
Within military law, service members are expected to reject unlawful orders. Although commanders may consult legal advisors to determine the legality of orders, lower-ranking soldiers may not always have similar access to legal counsel. History and legal codes assert that simply following orders, known colloquially as the 'Nuremberg defense', will not spare personnel from punishment.
Legal stipulations within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) can result in charges against soldiers who fail to comply with lawful orders, with various articles specifying penalties for such disobedience.
Trump's Response and Implications
Trump's reaction included denouncing the Democrats' message as 'really bad, and Dangerous to our Country,' labeling the lawmakers as 'traitors' and suggesting they merit arrest for their statements. In response, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump for potentially inciting violence in a politically charged environment. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's remarks, suggesting he was merely describing a crime without calling for violence.
This incident has sparked further outrage, with Trump's allies asserting the video suggests a blatant call for rebellion from Democratic lawmakers advocating for military disobedience.
Consequently, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed claims of illegal orders being issued, affirming that the military operates under lawful command structures and that political figures are not expressing an accurate reflection of military conduct.
