President Donald Trump called out six Democrat lawmakers on Thursday for what he described as “seditious behavior” following their video message encouraging U.S. military personnel to reject unlawful orders. The former president’s social media posts labeled the message dangerous and accused the legislators of undermining the chain of command. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified later that Trump was not calling for their execution, despite his strong language about the seriousness of their actions.
In the video at the center of the controversy, Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, told service members to “refuse illegal orders.” All six Democrats have prior military or national security experience. Their joint message stated that troops have a duty to uphold the Constitution and follow only lawful commands.
President Trump responded on Truth Social by accusing the group of “seditious behavior at the highest level.” He wrote that each should be “arrested and put on trial,” warning that the nation cannot survive if such statements are allowed to go unchallenged. In a separate post, he added, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” and reposted a user’s comment suggesting execution.
Democrats condemned Trump’s words, accusing him of promoting political violence. They issued a joint statement saying no threat or intimidation would deter them from defending constitutional principles. They claimed their remarks were meant to restate military law, not attack the president.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the backlash in a press conference, defending Trump’s response. She stated that the lawmakers “orchestrated” the video to suggest the president might give illegal orders, which she firmly denied. Leavitt argued that encouraging military personnel to question presidential orders weakens national security and accountability. She added that Trump wants the lawmakers to face consequences, but not execution.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between military protocol, political rhetoric, and the limits of lawful dissent. President Trump’s statements drew attention to the potential danger of elected officials urging disobedience within the armed forces, especially under assumptions not based on fact.
