In an effort to clarify the message behind a viral video, six Democratic lawmakers with military experience — including Rep. Jason Crow, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, and Rep. Chris Deluzio — addressed concerns that their call for service members to refuse unlawful orders had been misinterpreted. The video, which went viral on social media, urged military personnel to resist carrying out orders that are deemed illegal or unconstitutional. However, the lawmakers emphasized that their message was not a call to disregard all orders, but rather to uphold the Constitution and the UCMJ. Critics, including Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Eric Schmitt, accused the lawmakers of attempting to politicize the military and of being politically motivated. Some Democrats, however, argued that the issue is not about partisan agendas but about the constitutional responsibility of service members to act within the framework of the law. The video did not provide specific examples of the kinds of orders that service members should refuse, but lawmakers like Crow and Houlahan argued that the UCMJ should serve as a clear guide for what is permissible. Some Republicans, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, dismissed the video as an example of Democratic fears of former President Donald Trump, referring to the idea as ‘Stage 4 TDS,’ a term used to describe the perception that Democrats are overly critical of Trump. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns about the potential implications of such a message, with some arguing that it could undermine the relationship between the military and the government. This topic has generated significant attention as it touches on the broader issue of how military and civilian leaders interact in matters of national security.