Trump Accuses Democratic Lawmakers of Sedition Following Their Call to Disobey Orders

Fri Nov 21 2025 09:48:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a reaction to a video posted by Democratic lawmakers urging military members to reject illegal orders, President Trump labeled their actions as sedition on social media, igniting political tensions once again.

President Trump accused several Democratic lawmakers of sedition after they posted a video urging U.S. military personnel to defy illegal orders. This reaction escalated the political discourse surrounding military conduct and constitutional authority, as tensions rise between parties. Trump's comments, which included calls for the lawmakers' arrest, drew swift backlash from Democrats and sparked debates about the legality of military orders.

President Donald Trump on Thursday accused half a dozen Democratic lawmakers of sedition punishable by DEATH after the lawmakers—veterans of the armed services and intelligence community—called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy illegal orders.

The video, posted on Tuesday from Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s X account, featured Slotkin along with Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, appealing directly to service members amid current tensions. They emphasized the need for military personnel to stand firm for the Constitution during politically turbulent times.

In Trump's response, he shared a message asserting that the lawmakers' behavior constituted seditious behavior from traitors, further inflating an already heated political atmosphere. He decried the video as dangerous and called for the lawmakers' legal repercussions.

Following Trump's incendiary comments, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer responded by stating that the president was lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline, implying that such rhetoric could incite further division.

What Democrats said in the video

The emotional plea from the Democratic lawmakers stated the Trump administration was creating a hostile environment within the military sector, encouraging service members to refuse illegal orders and be vigilant in defending American laws. The video concluded with a rallying cry that harkens back to America's naval history.

Legalities of Disobedience

While there is a clear legal expectation for military personnel to obey lawful orders, service members are also trained to discern unlawful commands. The UCMJ grants individuals the right to refuse such orders, albeit the consequences for disobedience remain serious.

Responses and Backlashes

Trump's supporters echoed concerns that the Democrats' video sends a dangerous message. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked the video seemed to stem from Stage 4 TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). The Pentagon refuted the notion that illegal orders were being issued, asserting their commitment to lawful military operations.