FBI Escalates Probe Into Democratic Lawmakers Over Military Oath Video
The FBI and Department of Justice have begun scheduling interviews with Democratic members of Congress who participated in a video urging service members to uphold their constitutional oath, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's response to what it labels seditious behaviour.
Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst among the six lawmakers involved, confirmed receiving communication from the FBI's counter terrorism division on Monday night. "To be honest the president's reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video," she stated on Tuesday, accusing Donald Trump of weaponising federal agencies against political opponents.
Pentagon Threatens Military Tribunal for Senator Kelly
The Justice Department's move follows an announcement from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatening to recall Senator Mark Kelly - a decorated Navy pilot and NASA astronaut - to face a military tribunal for what he termed "seditious" acts. The Department of Defense probe targets lawmakers who joined last week's video statement warning military personnel against following "illegal orders".
Veterans groups have universally condemned the investigations as politically motivated. Jacob Thomas, an Air Force Veteran with progressive advocacy group Common Defense, described the Kelly investigation as a "sham probe" intended to silence dissent. "Senator Kelly's call to refuse illegal directives is not misconduct, it's patriotism," he asserted.
Lawmakers and Veterans Condemn 'Abuse of Power'
The controversial video featured six Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds cautioning service members about "threats to our Constitution" originating domestically, interpreted as referencing the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities supporting mass deportations.
Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, denounced the Pentagon's investigation as an "outrageous abuse of power" resembling "political retribution straight from the autocrat playbook". Meanwhile, Senator Ruben Gallego delivered a blistering critique of Hegseth during a CNN interview, labelling the Defense Secretary "a coward" for following presidential orders targeting Kelly.
The administration has defended recent military actions, including missile strikes against suspected drug-running vessels that killed more than 80 people, as justified force against "terrorists". Meanwhile, Trump has amplified calls for severe consequences against the lawmakers, suggesting on Truth Social that "an example MUST BE SET" and sharing posts implying they should face execution.
Hegseth continues to defend the investigations, characterising the lawmakers' video as a "politically-motivated influence operation" that undermines military cohesion. He has particularly targeted Kelly's service record, promising uniform inspections should the senator face military court proceedings.
Kelly remains defiant, telling MS NOW that his message was simply that "members of the military should follow the law", and that Trump's violent rhetoric reveals more about the president's aversion to accountability than anything else.
