President Donald Trump ignited a fierce political firestorm last week when he accused six Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH” in a series of inflammatory posts on Truth Social, prompting immediate concerns about political violence and threats against elected officials.
The controversy began on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, when Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) posted a video featuring six Democratic lawmakers—all military veterans or former intelligence officials—reminding service members of their legal obligation to refuse unlawful orders. Alongside Slotkin, the video featured Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.).
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” the lawmakers stated in the video. “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
Trump responded on Thursday, Nov. 20, with multiple posts calling for the lawmakers to be arrested and tried. “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL,” he wrote. In another post, he declared: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” Trump also reshared a post from another user that read, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!”
The president’s adviser Stephen Miller had condemned the video on Tuesday, accusing the Democratic lawmakers of “openly calling for insurrection.” Slotkin defended their message, noting that the Uniform Code of Military Justice requires service members to uphold their oath to the Constitution rather than blindly following orders.
During a White House press briefing on Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that Trump was calling for executions when asked directly. However, she suggested the lawmakers’ actions “perhaps is punishable by law,” adding she would “leave that to the Department of Justice and the Department of War to decide.” Leavitt characterized the video as “encouraging them to defy the president’s lawful orders.”
Trump later clarified to Fox on Friday, Nov. 21, that he was “not threatening death” but believed the lawmakers were “in serious trouble.”
Under U.S. military law, service members are required to follow lawful orders but can face prosecution for obeying unlawful commands. The principle that soldiers have a duty to refuse illegal orders has been established legal doctrine since a 1969 military court case.
The six Democratic lawmakers released a joint statement Thursday responding to the president’s posts. “What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,” they stated. “Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) delivered sharp remarks from the Senate floor Thursday, warning that Trump’s rhetoric could incite violence. “Let’s be crystal clear, the president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is a threat, and it’s deadly serious,” Schumer said. He requested extra Capitol Police protection for Slotkin and Kelly.
The consequences of Trump’s posts materialized quickly. Rep. Crow wrote on social media Friday that threats against him and his office “exploded” after the president’s statements. He published recordings of disturbing voice messages featuring callers wishing death on his family. Someone also made a bomb threat against his district office in Aurora, Colorado.
The Defense Department announced Monday, Nov. 24, that it would open a “review” of “serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly. The department cited a law barring retired service members from issuing orders to active duty soldiers, though Kelly issued no orders in the video. The review specified it “may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”
Kelly stated defiantly on social media that if the intent was to intimidate him and other members of Congress from fulfilling their duties and holding the administration accountable, it would not succeed, emphasizing that he had contributed too much to the country to be silenced by those who prioritize their own power over safeguarding the Constitution.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s reaction while acknowledging “the words that the president chose are not the ones that I would use.” He called the Democratic lawmakers’ video “wildly inappropriate” and “very dangerous.”
Rep. Deluzio told NBC News he received threats following Trump’s posts and was taking precautions with Capitol Police to keep his family safe. Deluzio stated that the president had called for his hanging and death, along with the deaths of several of his colleagues, and described it as a dark day in the country for any president to make such a statement.
Rep. Houlahan expressed anger at how the White House press secretary “twisted” the Democrats’ words, noting they stated service members cannot obey unlawful orders. “She twisted that into saying that we told people to disobey lawful orders, and this is exactly what the problem is with this upside-down world that we’re living in right now,” Houlahan said.
