Trump Says Democrats Urging Troops to Reject Illegal Orders Are ‘Seditious’ and Could Face Death
Trump Says Democrats Urging Troops to Reject Illegal Orders Are ‘Seditious’ and Could Face Death
President Donald Trump on Thursday attacked a group of Democratic lawmakers who urged U.S. military members to refuse unlawful commands, accusing them of treason and suggesting they could face the death penalty.
Trump reposted an article about a video released Tuesday by six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds. Alongside it, he wrote on Truth Social: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” In an earlier post, he warned, “This is really bad, and dangerous to our country… Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
The comments are the latest in a series of threats Trump has made toward his political opponents since returning to the White House in January. He has repeatedly called for prosecuting critics, and his Justice Department has gone after figures like former national security adviser John Bolton and ex-FBI Director James Comey.
Trump has a history of inflammatory rhetoric. In 2021, he defended rioters chanting for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence during the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Top Democrats say his latest outburst is dangerous. House leaders said they had contacted U.S. Capitol Police to ensure the lawmakers’ safety after Trump’s remarks.
At a press briefing, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt denied that Trump wanted to execute members of Congress, but she sharply criticized the Democrats for telling service members to reject improper orders.
Under U.S. law, civilians cannot be charged with sedition, though “seditious conspiracy” carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, sedition can carry penalties up to and including death.
The lawmakers featured in the video included Senators Elissa Slotkin — a former CIA officer and Iraq War veteran — and Mark Kelly, an ex-astronaut and Navy veteran, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan.
In the video, they speak directly to military and intelligence personnel, warning that the Trump administration is putting those institutions at odds with the American public and the Constitution.
“Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” Kelly says. Slotkin closes the video by urging them to “stand up for our laws, our Constitution.”
After Trump’s post, Slotkin responded on X, vowing that no threats would stop them from defending the Constitution.
The lawmakers did not cite any specific scenario or describe any orders they consider illegal. However, Democrats have repeatedly questioned the legality of Trump’s military actions — including strikes on suspected drug traffickers and fears he might target Venezuela. They have also challenged the deployment of National Guard troops in support of immigration crackdowns in U.S. cities.
Sen. Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Senate’s defense appropriations panel, condemned Trump’s remarks.
“Calling for the execution of senators and members of Congress for reminding our troops of that is chilling behavior we should expect from authoritarians… not the president of the United States,” he said. He urged Republicans to speak out.
Most Republicans remained quiet. Sen. Lindsey Graham said he wasn’t aware of any illegal orders and suggested Democrats should spell out what they meant.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s posts a direct threat.
“When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen,” Schumer warned. “He is lighting a match soaked with gasoline.”
