Overview
- Six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds posted a video Tuesday reminding service members they may refuse unlawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- On Thursday, President Trump labeled their actions "seditious," urged arrests, wrote that such behavior is "punishable by DEATH," and amplified a post calling to "hang" the lawmakers.
- In a Friday radio interview, Trump said he was "not threatening death" but repeated that the lawmakers were in "serious trouble," adding that "in the old days" such conduct meant death.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president does not want executions but called the video dangerous, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he wants answers on why the video was made and declined to discuss any investigations.
- House Democratic leaders contacted the House sergeant-at-arms and U.S. Capitol Police, Rep. Jason Crow requested a Capitol Police inquiry, and Republican reactions ranged from Speaker Mike Johnson defending Trump's sedition framing to allies calling the death language "over the top."