Democrats have expressed outrage after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of engaging in “seditious behaviour, punishable by death” following the release of a video in which they told active service members they could refuse illegal orders. The US president posted the accusation on his Truth Social platform, calling for their arrest.
The video, released on Tuesday, features six Democratic lawmakers with prior military or intelligence service, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow. In it, they state: “Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, the lawmakers issued a joint statement condemning the president’s language. The incident has reignited concerns over Trump’s rhetoric and its impact on democratic norms, with critics warning that such accusations threaten the rule of law and political stability.
