Trump Administration Investigates Lawmakers Over Military Order Video
President Donald Trump and federal agencies are investigating six Democratic lawmakers who released a video urging military members to refuse illegal orders.
The administration of Donald Trump is investigating six Democratic lawmakers—Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Chris Deluzio—after they released a video in November 2025 advising U.S. service members to refuse illegal orders. All six lawmakers are military veterans or former national security professionals. Trump initially characterized the video as "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and stated such actions were "punishable by DEATH!", though he later clarified in a Fox News interview that he was referring to historical practices and not making current death threats.
By January 2026, the situation escalated into formal federal inquiries. Senator Slotkin and several House members reported being contacted by the FBI and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro in the District of Columbia. Slotkin described the probes as the weaponization of the federal government intended to silence dissent. Simultaneously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Senator Kelly, a retired Navy captain, attempting to retroactively demote him and reduce his retirement pay. Hegseth claimed the video undermined the chain of command.
In response, Senator Kelly filed a lawsuit against Hegseth and the Pentagon, alleging the actions are unconstitutional retribution for protected speech. Other targeted lawmakers, including Representative Jason Crow, have vowed not to be intimidated, asserting their duty to the Constitution. The administration maintains that all presidential orders, including National Guard deployments in U.S. cities and strikes against drug boats in the Caribbean, are lawful.
