Overview
- Six Democrats with military or intelligence backgrounds posted a video reminding troops they may refuse manifestly unlawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- On ABC’s This Week, Sen. Elissa Slotkin said she was not aware of any illegal orders from Trump, citing concerns about National Guard deployments and strikes tied to Venezuela without naming a specific unlawful directive.
- Trump blasted the lawmakers on Truth Social as “traitors,” called their actions “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH,” and urged arrests, while the White House press secretary argued the video endangered the chain of command.
- Legal voices split on the issue, with former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance saying the video restates settled law, conservative commentators pointing to 18 U.S.C. § 2387, and independent experts noting the message may be ill-advised but does not constitute sedition or a capital offense.
- Participants including Rep. Jason Crow and Sen. Mark Kelly reported increased threats following Trump’s posts, saying the president’s rhetoric carries weight and has real-world consequences.