A group of Democratic lawmakers, previously accused of "seditious behaviour" by former President Donald Trump, now argue that recent controversial military strikes have vindicated their decision to release a video on unlawful commands. The video, which advised service members they could refuse illegal orders, triggered a furious response from Trump last month, who suggested such actions were "punishable by death".
Video Controversy and Escalating Tensions
The dispute has intensified as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration face mounting questions over a so-called "double tap" strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. According to a Washington Post report, Hegseth ordered Navy SEALs to "kill everybody" onboard, including two survivors clinging to wreckage. This incident has led to accusations of potential war crimes and has become a focal point for the Democrats' defence.
Representative Jason Crow, a retired Army Ranger from Colorado who featured in the video, told The Independent that the administration's actions underscore their original message. "It does underscore the importance of the video and the message that we sent," Crow stated. He emphasised that service members have an obligation, not merely a right, to refuse unlawful or unconstitutional orders.
Criticism of Hegseth's Conduct and Qualifications
Crow was particularly scathing in his criticism of Defence Secretary Hegseth, labelling him as "cavalier" and referencing his past struggles with alcohol. He also criticised Hegseth for posting an AI-generated parody book cover depicting Franklin the Turtle firing missiles at drug boats. "Who should be surprised that... a drunk former Fox News host with zero qualifications running the Department of Defence... is going to put our military in this situation," Crow remarked.
Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona who also participated in the video and faced Pentagon threats of court-martial, called for a full Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the strikes. He expressed deep concern about the environment created by the administration, recalling how Trump reportedly once asked a former Defence Secretary if troops could shoot American protesters in the legs.
Bipartisan Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigations
The nature of the strikes has drawn bipartisan criticism, prompting a meeting between top military officials, including Admiral Frank Bradley and General Dan Caine, and leaders of the Intelligence and Armed Services committees. However, prominent Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, defended the strikes as "righteous" and "extremely lawful".
Meanwhile, the FBI and the Department of Justice have scheduled interviews with the Democratic lawmakers involved in the video. Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former intelligence analyst from Michigan, revealed that she and colleagues had been hearing concerns from personnel at US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) about the legality of the Caribbean strikes long before the video was released. "There was a lot of juju in the system," Slotkin said, indicating widespread unease within the military.
While the lawmakers insist they had no prior knowledge of the specific "double-tap" incident, they argue it highlights the very concerns they sought to address. As investigations pushed by Trump's administration remain in preliminary stages, the episode presents a fresh test of congressional oversight and the limits of executive power in matters of defence and military engagement.
