Overview
- President Trump labeled the lawmakers’ conduct “sedition,” called them “traitors,” and posted that it was punishable by death while urging their arrest and trial.
- House Democratic leaders said they contacted the Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police to safeguard the six members and their families after the president’s posts.
- The Justice Department said it would examine the lawmakers’ actions very closely in response to the video urging refusal of manifestly illegal orders.
- A Pentagon spokesperson questioned the premise that illegal orders are being issued, stating that U.S. forces follow lawful directives from civilian leaders.
- The 90-second video, which cited no specific orders, landed against criticism of recent Guard deployments and lethal maritime operations that experts say have killed more than 80 people.