Lindsey Graham Demands Specifics on Democrats’ ‘Refuse Illegal Orders’ Message
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has demanded that six congressional Democrats provide specifics on the illegal orders they believe service members should refuse, as the lawmakers urged military personnel to ‘refuse illegal orders’ in a viral video. The lawmakers, including Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Reps. Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, did not clarify which orders they considered illegal. Graham, a former Air Force Judge Advocate General, emphasized the seriousness of the issue and requested details on the alleged illegal orders from the administration.
Graham’s demand comes as part of a broader political debate over the role of the military in domestic affairs. The video, and Graham’s letters, come on the heels of rising questions among lawmakers about the legality of President Donald Trump’s authorization of strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, and in the wake of the administration’s deployment of the National Guard to blue cities across the country.
The lawmakers, who are all members of the Democratic Party, argued that service members should not carry out orders that they believe violate the Constitution. However, they did not specify which orders they considered illegal. The Uniform Code of Military Justice — the standardized military justice system enacted in 1951 — states that members of the military have an obligation to follow lawful orders from their superiors, but they can ignore orders deemed illegal.
Graham’s letters to the lawmakers include a reference to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which he said is a vital part of the military’s legal framework. He also emphasized that he believes the issue of unlawful orders is important and that the lawmakers owe it to the country to be specific about the orders they consider illegal.
The video, which has gone viral, has drawn attention from multiple political figures, including Sen. Blackburn, who has expressed dismay over the video and its implications. Other lawmakers, including the Deputy Attorney General, have also weighed in on the issue, with some calling the video ‘abhorrent.’
Slotkin’s office has pointed to an interview with TMZ, where the senator explained that the video was made in response to service members reaching out to her saying, ‘I don’t know what to do if the commander in chief orders me to do something that is illegal.’ Slotkin, who was a CIA officer, explained that service members aren’t trained in police techniques and were worried they could be asked to do things like arresting American citizens, detaining them, or conducting raids on homes.
While Fox News Digital reached out for comment from Kelly, Crow, Houlahan, Goodlander, and Deluzio, the lawmakers have not yet responded. This silence has only intensified the political scrutiny on the Democrats and their stance on the legality of orders issued by the administration.
The issue of refusing illegal orders has sparked a nationwide debate, as lawmakers, military officials, and civilians weigh in on the role of the military in enforcing laws and the extent of their authority to disobey orders. The discussion has also highlighted the tension between the military and civilian leadership, particularly in times of political and social unrest.
As the debate continues, the situation remains a focal point for the broader political discourse in the United States, with implications for military policy and the role of Congress in oversight.