Six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence experience posted a video urging service members to 'refuse illegal orders.' Former President Trump responded on social media, calling the message "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who appears in the clip, told Chris Hayes she viewed Trump's reaction as "a sad moment in American politics" and defended the lawmakers' call as a duty to the Constitution. The episode has sparked debate about political rhetoric, free speech, and the responsibilities of leaders.
‘A Sad Moment in American Politics’: Sen. Slotkin Rebukes Trump After Lawmakers Urge Troops to Refuse Illegal Orders
Six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence experience posted a video urging service members to 'refuse illegal orders.' Former President Trump responded on social media, calling the message "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who appears in the clip, told Chris Hayes she viewed Trump's reaction as "a sad moment in American politics" and defended the lawmakers' call as a duty to the Constitution. The episode has sparked debate about political rhetoric, free speech, and the responsibilities of leaders.
01:37 PM, 11/21/2025Politics
Six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released a social-media video urging service members to 'refuse illegal orders' — a call framed by its participants as an effort to protect the Constitution and the rule of law. The clip prompted a sharp response from former President Donald Trump.
Trump answered on social media with an all-caps statement calling the lawmakers' action "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" The post intensified the political dispute and drew criticism from Democrats and veterans who said that kind of rhetoric is inflammatory and could put service members at risk.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who appears in the video, spoke with Chris Hayes on All In. Slotkin called Trump's characterization "a sad moment in American politics," defended the lawmakers' urging of troops to decline unlawful orders, and emphasized that military personnel have both a legal and moral duty to follow only lawful commands. She also warned that threatening language from political leaders can chill civic discourse and endanger those who serve.
SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!
Legal scholars note the incident raises complex questions about free speech, the responsibilities of elected officials, and the line between political criticism and rhetoric that could incite harm. The exchange has deepened partisan tensions and renewed debate over how public figures should speak about the military and the rule of law.