President Donald Trump is lashing out at a group of Democratic lawmakers after they released a video urging US service members to refuse unlawful commands – a message he blasted as “seditious behavior” and an attack on the military chain of command.
The video, posted Tuesday (November 18), featured six Democrats: Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow. The group addressed military personnel directly, advising troops that they can reject orders that are illegal or counter to the constitution.
Democratic Lawmakers Urge Troops to Reject Unlawful Commands
In the video, the lawmakers warned that threats to the constitution “aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.” They added, “Our laws are clear – you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.”
Crow later expanded on the message during an appearance on Fox News, arguing that troops are often placed in “very difficult positions”, and claiming Trump has contributed to that uncertainty.
“We are reminding folks what the uniform code of military justice says, what the constitution says, what the law of war says,” Crow said. The group did not specify which illegal orders they believed service members might face.
Trump Responds With Fury on Truth Social
Trump fired back with a pair of blistering posts on Truth Social, accusing the lawmakers of subverting the military and undermining national stability.
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” Trump wrote. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”
Credit: Donald Trump / Truth Social.
Minutes later, he doubled down, calling their remarks “Dangerous to our Country” and shouting in all caps: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
Credit: Donald Trump / Truth Social.
Lawmakers Defend Their Message as Constitutional Duty
The six Democrats quickly responded to the president’s attacks, insisting that their video was a reminder of lawful military obligations, not a call to rebellion. They said: “No call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” emphasizing that the oath taken by every service member supersedes partisan politics.
White House Pushes Back on Escalating Rhetoric
The White House sought to calm the escalating feud. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims that Trump was calling for violence or execution, instead redirecting attention to the lawmakers’ message.
“They are literally saying to 1.3 million active duty service members to defy the chain of command, not to follow lawful orders,” Leavitt said, per BBC News. “It perhaps is punishable by law.”
The clash underscores deepening tensions over military loyalty, presidential authority and how political leaders interpret constitutional obligations – a debate likely to intensify as the election season continues.