FBI and DOJ Investigate Six Democrats Over Video Urging Military to Disobey ‘Illegal Orders’
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are in the process of scheduling interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who were featured in a controversial video urging military members to ignore ‘illegal orders.’ This development has come after the lawmakers, including Senators Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., released a video last week that has sparked significant political and military backlash.
The video, which has gone viral, was directed at service members and intelligence officers and stated, ‘Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.’ This statement has led to strong reactions from both political and military figures. President Donald Trump, known for his strong rhetoric, has called for the lawmakers to be arrested and tried for ‘seditious behavior,’ warning that such actions could be punishable by death.
The Department of War has also taken a stance, announcing a formal review into allegations of misconduct against Kelly over the video. The review may even lead to recalling Kelly, a retired Navy captain, back to active duty for court-martial proceedings or other administrative actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Four of the other Democrats are former military, but not retired and therefore not subject to the UCMJ, while Slotkin is a former CIA officer. This has raised questions about the implications of such actions on the military chain of command and the potential for political influence within military operations.
Retired General Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, has also weighed in on the situation, criticizing the video as a ‘politically-motivated influence operation.’ He pointed out that the lawmakers never named a specific ‘illegal order,’ which ‘created ambiguity rather than clarity.’ Hegseth emphasized that the military already has clear procedures for handling unlawful orders and that the video could undermine trust and cohesion within the chain of command. He concluded that the lawmakers knew exactly what they were doing by sowing doubt through a politically-motivated influence operation.
This incident has highlighted the tension between political influence and military obligations, with significant implications for both the legal and ethical standards within the armed forces. As the investigation continues, the situation remains a focal point of political and military discourse in the United States.