Overview
- President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the lawmakers’ conduct was “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH,” and urged their arrest and trial.
- Trump amplified third-party messages calling for extreme punishment, including a repost that read, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”.
- House Democratic leaders said they contacted the Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police to protect the six members and their families and urged Trump to remove the posts.
- The Justice Department’s Todd Blanche said the agency will examine the lawmakers’ actions “very closely,” while the Pentagon stressed adherence to lawful orders and the chain of command.
- The video, led by Sen. Elissa Slotkin with Mark Kelly and four House members, told service and intelligence personnel they must refuse illegal orders, drawing White House denunciations from officials including Stephen Miller.