Overview
- Sen. Elissa Slotkin posted a short video Tuesday featuring six Democratic lawmakers telling military and intelligence personnel they can and must refuse illegal orders.
- The group includes Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio and Maggie Goodlander, all highlighting prior military or intelligence service.
- The clip, reported to have more than 1.6 million views, asserts that threats to the Constitution are coming from inside the country and urges officials to stand up for the law.
- Conservatives and some Republicans accused the message of encouraging defiance of President Trump, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth responding on X, "Stage 4 TDS."
- The lawmakers say they are restating legal obligations under military law and note concurrent efforts to limit Trump’s authority on National Guard deployments and certain strikes.