Six Democratic lawmakers with military experience, including Rep. Jason Crow and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, have sparked significant debate by urging U.S. service members to refuse illegal or unconstitutional orders in a viral video. The video, which became a focal point of political discussion, references the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and emphasizes the service members’ obligations to the Constitution. While the lawmakers argue that certain orders may violate the law, critics, including Republicans, have accused them of promoting political bias and undermining military discipline. The video’s call to action has drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle, with some dismissing it as an attempt to influence the military for partisan gain. The lawmakers, however, maintain that their message is rooted in legal standards and national security, not political manipulation.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., one of the lawmakers featured in the video, expressed exasperation with how critics had framed the message. Houlahan clarified that the video was not a call to ignore all orders, but rather to refuse those that violate the Constitution. She was joined by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., who collectively emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional principles. The lawmakers’ video did not specify the types of orders that should be refused, which has led to some ambiguity in interpreting their message. However, they argued that the UCMJ provides clear guidelines for service members to follow in such situations.
Republicans have responded to the exhortation by criticizing it as an example of Democratic paranoia toward the current administration. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth referred to the video as an example of ‘Stage 4 TDS,’ a term used to describe the so-called ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ among critics of the former president. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., expressed skepticism about the video’s intent, suggesting that the lawmakers were motivated by political frustration rather than genuine concerns for national security. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who serves as the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged the lawmakers’ position in principle but noted the difficulty of determining what constitutes an illegal order in practice. Reed emphasized that service members have a duty to respect their chain of command while also seeking legal recourse for any concerns they may have.
The lawmakers who produced the video believe that the UCMJ clearly outlines what is permissible for service members. Rep. Jason Crow, one of the lawmakers, pointed to the UCMJ as the central framework for understanding the issue. He emphasized that the video’s purpose was to remind service members of their obligations to the Constitution and the code, which he argued is unambiguous. However, the UCMJ does not explicitly mention the specific scenarios in which service members might be required to refuse orders, raising questions about the practical implications of the lawmakers’ stance. Despite this, the lawmakers maintain that the video was a necessary reminder of constitutional principles and legal responsibilities. The Department of War has not yet issued an official response to the video, leaving the issue open to interpretation and further political discourse.