Six Democrat lawmakers with military backgrounds are actively encouraging U.S. troops to disobey orders from President Trump, sparking outrage over what critics call an unprecedented attack on military chain of command.
Story Summary
- Trump calls Democrat lawmakers “traitors” for urging military to refuse orders.
- Six Democrat Congress members released video telling troops to “refuse illegal orders.”
- President labels their actions “seditious behavior” punishable by death.
- Republicans condemn video as undermining military discipline and constitutional authority.
Trump Denounces Democrats as “Traitors” for Military Video
President Trump unleashed fierce criticism on November 20, 2025, targeting six Democrat lawmakers who released a video urging military personnel to disobey certain orders. Trump called their actions “seditious behavior at the highest level” and demanded they “should be arrested and put on trial.”
The president warned that allowing such statements to go unchallenged would destroy the nation’s stability and constitutional order.
Trump demands arrest of Dem ‘traitors’ who urged military to refuse ‘illegal orders’ https://t.co/w2wdknLwTO pic.twitter.com/sJEphX6raP
— New York Post (@nypost) November 20, 2025
Democrat Veterans Encourage Military Insubordination
The controversial video featured Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, alongside Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.
All six lawmakers are military or intelligence veterans who repeatedly told troops “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” However, they deliberately avoided specifying what constitutes such orders.
Former Army Ranger Jason Crow even suggested Trump might deploy troops to polling stations, despite the president’s repeated denials of such plans.
The lawmakers accused Trump of “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens” and claimed constitutional threats come “from right here at home.”
Republican Leaders Condemn Unprecedented Attack on Chain of Command
Republican officials swiftly denounced the Democrats’ message as dangerous political interference with military operations. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee called it “inconceivable” for elected officials to encourage uniformed personnel to defy their commander in chief.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the video as “Stage 4 Trump Derangement Syndrome,” highlighting how Democrat opposition has reached destructive extremes.
Critics argue this represents an unprecedented attempt by sitting lawmakers to preemptively undermine lawful presidential authority and pressure troops to second-guess legitimate commands.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members must follow lawful orders and face prosecution for obeying illegal ones—standards historically applied to extreme wartime abuses, not political disputes with constitutional leadership.
Constitutional Authority Under Direct Attack
Trump’s response escalated when he declared “seditious behavior, punishable by death” in a follow-up Truth Social post, emphasizing the severity of the Democrats’ actions.
The president insisted he will restore order, strengthen national security, and uphold constitutional authority while Democrats resort to fearmongering because they cannot defend their failed policies.
Trump allies point to this video as proof Democrats will sacrifice military discipline for political gain, directly attacking the presidency itself.
