Democratic Lawmakers Urge Military to Refuse 'Illegal Orders,' Sparking Presidential Outrage

Lawmakers Issue Direct Appeal to Service Members

A group of six Democratic lawmakers, all with backgrounds in the military or national security, released a video in November 2025 directly addressing U.S. service members and intelligence personnel. The lawmakers, including Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Representative Jason Crow (D-CO), Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Representative Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), urged military members to refuse orders they deem unlawful.

Their message emphasized that a service member's oath is to the Constitution of the United States, not to any individual leader. They stated that troops 'can and must refuse illegal orders,' and warned that threats to constitutional order could emerge 'from within' the country. While the video did not specify particular orders, it underscored the constitutional duty of service members.

President Trump Responds with Accusations of Sedition

The video quickly drew a strong reaction from President Donald Trump, who, in online posts, accused the Democratic lawmakers of 'seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH!' The President also reportedly reposted messages from supporters suggesting the lawmakers should be 'hanged.' The White House later clarified that the President did not intend to call for the execution of members of Congress.

However, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller criticized the video as an 'open appeal' for military and intelligence officials 'to engage in rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that 'Every single order that is given to this United States military by this commander-in-chief... is lawful,' and warned that defying orders could pose national security risks.

The Legal Framework of Military Orders

Under U.S. military law, service members are bound by their oath to the Constitution and are only required to obey lawful orders. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the Manual for Courts-Martial stipulate that an order is lawful unless it is 'patently illegal,' 'contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States,' or 'beyond the authority of the official issuing it.' Service members have a legal duty to disobey orders that are 'manifestly unlawful,' such as those directing a criminal act.

However, military legal experts note that orders are generally presumed lawful, and disobeying an order that is not clearly illegal can lead to severe consequences, including court-martial. Critics of the lawmakers' video suggested its vague nature, without specific examples of unlawful orders, risked politicizing the military and creating confusion within the chain of command.

Underlying Tensions and Context

The exchange highlights ongoing divisions between Congress and the White House regarding the appropriate use of military power. The Trump administration has faced scrutiny and legal challenges over several actions involving the military, including:

• The deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities, sometimes against the wishes of local officials.
• Strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in international waters, which some experts have characterized as 'extrajudicial killings.'
• Executive orders impacting military policy, border security, and the domestic role of the armed forces.

These instances contribute to a broader debate about civilian control of the military and the interpretation of presidential authority.