Stephen Miller Calls Democrats' 'Refuse Illegal Orders' Appeal a 'Call for Rebellion'

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller sharply criticized a group of Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the U.S. military and the CIA to "refuse illegal orders" from President Donald Trump, calling the appeal "a general call for rebellion."

Miller made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News' The Will Cain Show. "It is insurrection, plainly, directly," he said. "Without question." He added that the message amounted to "a general call for rebellion from the CIA and the armed services of the United States," and accused the lawmakers of urging service members to defy the commander-in-chief.

The comments followed a short video posted on X by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), in which she and five other Democratic members of Congress—Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.)—warned that "threats to the Constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but right here at home." In the clip, each lawmaker, many of whom have prior service in the Navy, Army, Air Force or the CIA, took turns saying, "You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders."

"These lawmakers should honestly resign in disgrace, and never return to public office again, for even daring to think, let alone to say these words and to say them proudly," Miller said on the program.

Miller also criticized the idea of encouraging CIA personnel to defy presidential orders, calling the agency a "clandestine service" and questioning the legality of such a call to action. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reposted the lawmakers' video on X and dismissed their message as evidence of "Stage 4 TDS" (Trump Derangement Syndrome).

The exchange highlights a tense debate over civilian oversight, military obedience and the boundaries of lawful command. Supporters of the lawmakers' message argue that service members are obligated under law to refuse unlawful orders, while opponents say public appeals for refusal risk undermining the chain of command and invite political instability.

As the controversy continues, both sides frame their positions in terms of constitutional duty and national security, leaving little room for compromise in a politically charged moment.