Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds have ignited a national conversation about the ethical and legal responsibilities of U.S. service members. A viral video, featuring Rep. Jason Crow and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, among others, urged military personnel to refuse unlawful orders that violate the U.S. Constitution. The lawmakers argued that service members are legally protected under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to challenge commands that breach the law or the Constitution. The video, which circulated widely on social media, has drawn both support and fierce criticism, with Republicans accusing the Democrats of undermining military discipline.
In a statement, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, one of the lawmakers featured in the video, expressed frustration with how critics have framed the message. Houlahan emphasized that the video did not advocate for defiance of all orders but rather a clear legal framework to challenge commands that conflict with constitutional rights.