Why Are Democrat Lawmakers Warning Military and Intelligence Personnel?

A firestorm of criticism is roaring about a decision made by six Democrat lawmakers, people with military or intelligence backgrounds. A week ago on November 18, this group of lawmakers -- Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (?D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) – released a short online video titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” The Blaze TV Staff summarized the video and the resulting fall out as follows. 

It urged U.S. service members and intelligence personnel to reject “illegal orders” and reminded them that their oath is to the Constitution, not individual leaders. While refusing unlawful commands is aligned with existing military law, the video claimed that “threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home” and accused the Trump administration of “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens” but provided no evidence or examples of any illegal order.

In interviews following the video release, Crow and Slotkin even admitted that there’s been no illegal order from President Trump or his administration. On November 20, Crow told CNN’s Kasie Hunt, “To be clear, we are not calling on folks right now to disobey any type of unlawful order.” Slotkin followed suit, admitting to ABC’s Martha Raddatz that the insinuation that the Trump administration was issuing illegal orders was completely baseless.

“To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal,” she said.

In other words, they created a video encouraging insurrection by insinuating that illegal orders have been issued, when no such thing has happened.

It’s no surprise, then, that a firestorm of criticism ignited, most notably from President Trump himself, who called it “seditious behavior from traitors” that is “punishable by death.”

Even though sedition is indeed punishable by death under current U.S. federal law and President Trump has explicitly clarified that his Truth Social post was not an execution threat, Democrats are using the scandal they created to play the victim….

Although Slotkin urged members of the military to refuse “illegal orders,” she was later forced to admit that she did not know of any unlawful order. After her admission, she raised a question about the “legal gymnastics” of the Trump administration’s strikes on boats in the Caribbean that are suspected of carrying narcotics to the United States as well as actions having to do with Venezuela. Still not able to name any illegal act, she acted to “stir the pot.” 

Kelly may be in trouble with the Department of War as well as charges of treason with the rest of the group of lawmakers. The following statement about Kelly was reported by Bradley Devlin. 

“The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.). In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures,” the statement read.

“This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings,” the statement added.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth weighed in on the development with a post on X. “The video made by the ‘Seditious Six’ was despicable, reckless, and false. Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of ‘good order and discipline,’” Hegseth said. “Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion – which only puts our warriors in danger. Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under [DOW] jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not “retired”, so they are no longer subject to UCMJ.”

However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ – and he knows that,” Hegseth continued. “As was announced, the Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation – lending the appearance of authority to his words. Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately.” …

Kelly responded to the DOW review in a post of his own on X. “Secretary Hegseth’s tweet is the first I heard of this,” Kelly’s post read in part. “I also saw the President’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death. If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.”

“I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution,” Kelly concluded.

In its Monday statement, however, the War Department reminded the public that federal laws “prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces,” adding. “Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels.”

The War Department also addressed the Democrats’ implication that the Trump administration’s War Department was handing down illegal orders.

“All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful,” the statement said. “A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.”