U.S. President Donald Trump criticized six Democratic lawmakers for a video they released on social media, advising troops to refuse unlawful orders, which he labeled as seditious conduct. The Democrats in the video, who have military or intelligence backgrounds, include senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, as well as House members Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan.
Kelly emphasized in the video, “Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” while Slotkin added, “We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.” The concern raised by Kelly, a former U.S. Navy captain, stems from recent deadly strikes on boats in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters by the U.S. military, targeting alleged drug carriers.
The Department of Justice provided a legal opinion stating that those involved in the boat strikes might not face prosecution due to potential limitations in military jurisprudence. Trump condemned the video as seditious behavior, suggesting that it could be punishable by death and urging for the arrest of the lawmakers involved.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump did not mean for the lawmakers to be killed but emphasized the importance of following lawful orders to avoid national security risks. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the Democrats’ video and called for specificity regarding their claims of unlawful orders.
The Trump administration, under defense secretary Pete Hegseth, declared the military’s involvement in a non-international armed conflict against alleged drug traffickers linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Despite concerns and criticisms, the administration continues to cite drug-related deaths in the U.S. to justify its actions.
While questions remain regarding the boat strikes, Senate Democrats have faced challenges in limiting Trump’s authority without congressional approval. The international community, including the UN human rights chief and France’s foreign minister, has expressed concerns about the legality of the strikes.
Trump’s past rhetoric and actions targeting political adversaries have raised alarms among Democrats, with accusations of a compliant Justice Department under his administration. The ongoing debate over the legality and implications of the boat strikes continues to draw scrutiny and controversy.