GOP Defends Trump After He Labels Democratic Veterans 'Seditious' and Says Offenders Are 'Punishable by Death'

Six Democratic members of Congress with military or intelligence backgrounds released a video advising active-duty personnel to refuse unlawful orders — guidance that aligns with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Two days after the video was posted, former President Donald Trump used his social media platform to denounce the lawmakers, accusing them of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" and writing, "Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. ... An example MUST BE SET." He followed that with another post: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???" and later wrote, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also amplified an online comment that read, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"

Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the posts as dangerously inflammatory. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats said they had contacted Capitol Police about an uptick in threats to members. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned on the Senate floor that the president has "made political violence a feature of his politics," adding that failing to respond now would mean "there's no line left to draw." He also said he had asked the Capitol Police to provide special protection for the veteran senators who appeared in the video.

"When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline." — Sen. Chuck Schumer

Republican officials moved quickly to justify or downplay the president's rhetoric. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the Democrats' message — urging service members to reject unlawful orders — "beyond the pale" and "wildly inappropriate," but did not explain why and declined to criticize the president's language.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the veterans had urged troops to "defy the chain of command," a claim not supported by the video, and said the White House wanted the lawmakers "held accountable" without specifying by whom or how. When she was told her characterization misrepresented the veterans' remarks, she ended the briefing.

The episode contains a stark irony: the veterans warned of the risk that a president might abuse authority, and the president's own reaction — amplifying violent rhetoric — has reinforced those concerns. As commentator Zeeshan Aleem observed, "Trump’s response — seemingly calling for violence in response to free speech — only confirms that lawmakers are right to be concerned about whom this president would deploy the military against."

The controversy has raised fresh questions about political rhetoric, the protection of public officials, and the responsibilities of leaders to avoid language that could incite violence.