President Donald Trump has slammed six Democrats who urged troops to ‘refuse illegal orders,’ calling their actions ‘seditious’ and insisting that the lawmakers should be arrested. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump denounced the six members of Congress, describing their behavior as ‘seditious behavior at the highest level’ and warning that their ‘words cannot be allowed to stand.’ He insisted that a ‘strong example must be set,’ with the implication that these lawmakers should face legal consequences. Trump’s comments followed a viral video in which the Democrats, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow, urged military members to ‘stand up for our laws’ and ‘refuse unlawful orders.’
The video, titled ‘Don’t Give Up the Ship,’ was posted by Senator Slotkin and has drawn criticism from both Republicans and the Trump administration. The lawmakers in the video are all veterans or have served in intelligence agencies, and they argue that the video is a call for military members to uphold constitutional rights. The lawmakers, however, have recently introduced legislation aimed at limiting the executive branch’s ability to deploy the National Guard domestically or take military action against suspected narcoterrorists without congressional approval. The video, which does not reference this legislative agenda, instead frames the appeal as a warning to military members to ‘stand up for our laws’ and ‘refuse unlawful orders.’
War Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the video on X, writing, ‘Stage 4 TDS,’ a reference to Trump Derangement Syndrome. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., echoed this sentiment on The Faulkner Focus, stating that the Democrats have ‘stage four Trump Derangement Syndrome’ and that it is ‘inconceivable’ that elected officials would tell military members to defy the orders they have been given. The lawmakers, however, argue that their message is about respecting the rule of law and holding the executive branch accountable. Their legislation, known as the ‘No Troops in Our Streets Act,’ would give Congress the power to block National Guard deployments inside American cities. Trump has expanded National Guard operations to Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago amid violent crime and has reportedly authorized troop deployments to Louisiana.
The controversy has sparked intense debate, with Trump’s allies viewing the video as a clear threat to national security, while the Democrats maintain that their actions are aimed at preserving constitutional rights. The situation highlights the growing polarization between the two major political parties and the potential consequences of political rhetoric affecting the military. As the debate continues, the public is watching closely to see how this conflict will play out and what impact it may have on military discipline and civic responsibility.