Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina with a lengthy career in the Air Force, has demanded that six congressional Democrats elaborate on the specific illegal orders they referenced in a now-viral video urging military personnel to ‘refuse illegal orders.’ The lawmakers, including Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Reps. Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, are facing scrutiny from Graham, who served as an Air Force Judge Advocate General. In a series of letters, Graham called for transparency on the alleged unlawful commands, emphasizing the importance of clarity on the orders issued by President Trump or his advisors.
The video, which has garnered significant attention, includes lawmakers urging service members to disregard illegal commands, but none provided concrete examples of the alleged unlawful orders. Graham’s inquiry comes amid broader concerns about the legality of certain government actions, such as the Trump administration’s authorization of strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the deployment of the National Guard to cities with significant protests. Military officials note that while service members are obligated to follow lawful orders, they may refuse illegal commands, as per the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Slotkin, a former CIA officer, explained that the video was prompted by service members’ concerns about potential illegal commands, such as engaging in crowd control or raids in high-tension areas like Chicago.
The lack of specific details has raised questions about the intent and implications of the lawmakers’ statements, prompting further scrutiny from both political and military leaders. Graham’s response underscores the growing divide within political and military circles regarding the interpretation of orders and the potential for civilian influence over military actions. The situation reflects ongoing tensions over the balance of power between the executive branch and the armed forces. As the debate continues, the focus remains on the legal and ethical boundaries that govern military conduct, with both political parties and military authorities closely monitoring the developments.