A Democratic member of Congress is standing firm after President Donald Trump criticized a public message she delivered to U.S. military personnel, calling it “seditious behavior, punishable by death.” The controversy erupted after a video posted online in which six Democratic lawmakers addressed service members and intelligence officers.
The 90-second video urged troops to uphold their oath to the Constitution, follow lawful orders, and refuse any illegal commands. The lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Deluzio (D‑Pa.), emphasized that this guidance is part of their duty to ensure that the military operates within the law.
In a follow-up statement, Deluzio clarified: “It’s our job to remind service members of their obligations. We are not inciting rebellion or disobedience. We are simply reinforcing legal and ethical duties.” He stressed that the video was a factual reminder, not a political attack.
Trump reacted aggressively, posting multiple statements on Truth Social, calling the lawmakers’ actions “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!!” and suggesting extreme penalties, including imprisonment and death. His statements drew immediate condemnation from legal experts and Democratic leaders, who argued that his rhetoric risks inciting political violence.
The lawmakers’ joint response reaffirmed that their message was grounded in long-standing military doctrine, which instructs service members to disobey unlawful orders. “No threat, intimidation, or hyperbolic language will deter us from fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities,” they said.
Military and legal experts support the Democrats’ stance. They note that instructing troops to refuse illegal commands is a legal and ethical obligation under U.S. and international law. According to Pentagon officials, service members are trained to recognize orders that violate the law and are required to disobey them.
House Democratic leaders denounced Trump’s remarks, calling the language dangerous and reckless, and urged Republicans to condemn it. They emphasized that political violence has no place in American democracy, and the accusations undermined both military trust and constitutional principles.
Deluzio concluded by stressing the broader purpose of the video: it was addressed to all Americans, not just service members, as a reminder that the Constitution is paramount and must be protected. “Our role as elected officials includes ensuring that the military, and the country, abide by the rule of law,” he said.
The confrontation highlights rising tensions over the boundaries of political speech, military guidance, and the responsibilities of lawmakers — and underscores the polarizing rhetoric surrounding President Trump’s continued public influence.
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