President Donald Trump of the United States criticized six Democratic members of Congress who recently shared a video on social media advising military personnel that they have the right to refuse unlawful orders, labeling their actions as seditious.
The six Democrats featured in the video have backgrounds in the military or intelligence services. They include Senators Mark Kelly from Arizona and Elissa Slotkin from Michigan, as well as House Representatives Jason Crow from Colorado, Maggie Goodlander from New Hampshire, and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania.
“Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” stated Kelly in the video.
Slotkin also emphasized the importance of upholding laws and the Constitution, urging military personnel not to comply with unlawful directives.
Although the video did not specify which orders might be deemed illegal, concerns raised by Kelly, a former U.S. Navy captain, have been ongoing in response to the series of lethal strikes conducted by the U.S. military on boats in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters suspected of drug trafficking.
The Department of Justice has reportedly provided a legal opinion suggesting that individuals involved in the boat strikes may not face prosecution due to the statute of limitations in military law, which can extend for years, particularly for capital offenses.
Graham ‘disturbed’ by video
Trump’s reaction to the video on social media has triggered a backlash from Republicans, with the President referring to the Democrats’ actions as “seditious behavior” potentially punishable by death.
Expressing his concerns, Trump emphasized the seriousness of the situation and called the Democrats traitors, advocating for their arrest and trial.
U.S. President Donald Trump accuses several Democratic lawmakers of engaging in ‘seditious behavior’ by encouraging military personnel to disregard illegal orders, which he suggests could warrant severe consequences.
When questioned about Trump’s remarks suggesting possible harm to the Democratic lawmakers featured in the video, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the President did not imply physical harm.
Leavitt stressed the importance of military personnel following lawful commands from the chain of command to maintain national security and prevent potential risks and casualties.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a former Judge Advocate