The FBI and Department of Justice have contacted Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six members of Congress who appeared in a controversial video urging service members to ignore orders they may deem illegal. The video, which gained significant attention, was released last week by a group of Democratic lawmakers who have military and intelligence backgrounds. This group includes Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Rep. Jason Crow. Their video stated, ‘Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,’ suggesting that service members have the right to disobey orders they believe to be unlawful.
President Donald Trump responded to the video by calling for the arrest and prosecution of the lawmakers for seditious behavior, describing it as a grave threat to national security. The President’s comments have sparked significant debate on the issue of military disobedience and the role of civilian leaders in influencing military actions. The Pentagon, in response to the video, has announced that it has initiated a formal review of allegations of misconduct against Sen. Mark Kelly. As a retired Navy captain, Kelly could potentially face court-martial proceedings or other administrative actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, four of the other lawmakers are former military personnel but not retired, and thus not subject to the UCMJ, whereas Sen. Slotkin, a former CIA officer, is not part of the current military force.
Retired General Pete Hegseth, who is currently the Secretary of War, has also weighed in on the matter, criticizing the video as a politically-motivated influence operation. Hegseth argues that the video’s message is ambiguous and could undermine military trust and cohesion. He stated that the video may seem harmless to civilians but is perceived differently within the military, where it could erode chain of command and create hesitation among personnel. Hegseth further asserted that the military has established legal procedures for handling unlawful orders, and the introduction of political rhetoric could disrupt the existing framework. He emphasized that the lawmakers were aware of the political implications of their actions and that the Pentagon is not willing to accept such interference in the military’s operational integrity.
The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the balance between military obedience and individual rights. Critics argue that the lawmakers’ video could undermine the military’s ability to function effectively, while supporters of the lawmakers claim that the video is a legitimate call for accountability and clarity in the application of military orders. As the FBI and DOJ proceed with their interviews, the situation continues to unfold with significant implications for both the political and military spheres.