Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and former Air Force captain, shared a collection of voicemails supporting her and five Democratic lawmakers who encouraged service members to refuse illegal orders in a recent viral video. The video, which included several veterans of the armed forces, led to strong criticism from President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who labeled the lawmakers as ‘traitors.’ The lawmakers, including Houlahan, were part of a group that released a video advising service members that they could refuse orders that they believed might be illegal.
The voicemails, which Houlahan shared on social media, came from veterans across the United States, including those who are not her constituents. Callers from locations such as Fairbanks, Alaska, and various cities across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California expressed their support for the lawmakers’ stance. Many of the callers identified themselves by their military backgrounds, including Marines, infantry, a wounded warrior, a Gulf War veteran, and descendants of World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and Korea veterans. One caller stated, ‘I’m not a constituent. I’m a veteran.’ Another thanked Houlahan for her comments, saying, ‘They’re right,’ and another stated, ‘I just want to tell her I appreciate her comments, and they’re right.’
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the lawmakers for encouraging military personnel to question the orders of their superiors and the President, calling them ‘traitors.’ The White House has been under pressure to provide examples of unlawful orders issued by Trump or the Pentagon, but a spokesperson claimed, ‘Because there have been none,’ according to a statement by Abigail Jackson, the White House press secretary. Houlahan herself has been vocal about the situation, stating that the FBI is reaching out to the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms for interviews regarding the lawmakers involved in the video.
Houlahan is one of the most prominent members of Congress to call for the resignation of Pete Hegseth, the current Defense Secretary. Her father was a Naval aviator, and she was born at the Naval Air Station Patuxent base in St. Mary’s, Maryland. Her involvement in the issue has led Houlahan to face threats, including bomb threats targeting her and other lawmakers’ offices. This has led to heightened concerns about the safety of Democratic lawmakers and the potential for escalated tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
The video sparked a national debate about the balance between civilian authority and military discipline. While some, including a retired Army captain, warned that the video could ‘spark chaos,’ others have supported the lawmakers, arguing that veterans have a right to question orders that they believe are unjust. This has raised questions about leadership within the Department of Defense and the potential for conflict between the civilian leadership and the military branches.