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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump argued late Saturday that six Democrats involved in a video urging military officers to disobey unlawful orders “should be behind bars.” His comments followed accusations made on Friday, where he labeled the lawmakers’ behavior as “seditious” and potentially punishable by death.
Democrats denounced Trump’s statements as “completely inappropriate” threats directed at the six senators and representatives, all of whom have backgrounds in military or intelligence sectors. On Saturday night, Trump took to social media, asserting:
“THE TRAITORS WHO TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW, NOT ON THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS TRYING TO DEFEND WHAT THEY SAID.”
He condemned their message as “HIGH-LEVEL SEDITION” with no alternative interpretation.
The viral video posted on social media Friday called on the military to “refuse illegal orders” and featured Arizona’s Mark Kelly, Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin, Colorado’s Jason Crow, Pennsylvania’s Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio, along with Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. Their specific reference to which orders they disputed remains unclear, but Trump has previously deployed the National Guard in several cities, often contrary to local officials’ wishes, in an effort to quell unrest.
Internationally, Trump authorized strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 80 casualties. Experts consider these actions to be unlawful.
Trump has previously hinted at the death penalty in related contexts. In 2023, former military officer Mark Milley disclosed that he had covertly contacted his Chinese counterpart following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, to reassure Beijing that the U.S. remained stable and did not intend aggression toward China. Trump responded on social media, stating, “In previous times, that would have warranted THE DEATH SENTENCE!”
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