U.S. President Donald Trump demanded the arrest of several “seditious” Democratic lawmakers over a video in which they appealed directly to serving military and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders”.
Military and intelligence personnel are required to obey or comply with lawful orders from superiors, and they are not required—and in some cases are forbidden—to follow unlawful orders.
The video features a number of Democratic lawmakers from the Senate and House, themselves veterans of different military and intelligence services, urging serving personnel: “Don’t give up the ship.”
It comes as the Trump administration’s opponents raise questions about the legality of his federal troop deployments to U.S. cities and lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea.
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” the Republican president said in a Thursday morning post on his Truth Social platform.
“Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”
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In a follow-up post, Trump added: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
Trump’s accusation of sedition is the latest volley in a years-long exchange between his Republicans and the Democrats, each side accusing the other of violating the constitution and undermining democracy in pursuit of their own partisan and ideological interests.
The mutual incendiary rhetoric comes amid concern about rising political violence in the U.S.
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The Democrats featured in the video are Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Representatives Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, New Hampshire Representative Maggie Goodlander, and Colorado Representative Jason Crow.
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” the Democrats say in the video.
“Like us, you all swore an oath. To protect and defend this constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. 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.”
They added: “We know this is hard, and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant. But whether you’re serving in the CIA, the army, our navy, the air force, your vigilance is critical. And know that we have your back. We need you to stand up for our laws, our constitution, and who we are as Americans.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
