Scott Jennings Backs Trump's Outrage After Lawmakers Urge Troops to Refuse 'Illegal Orders'

Scott Jennings defended President Trump's outraged reaction after several Democratic lawmakers urged military and intelligence personnel not to follow "illegal orders." Jennings, speaking on the PBD Podcast, called the lawmakers' warnings vague and inflammatory, saying they offered no specific examples of unlawful commands. He argued their rhetoric risks encouraging violence and defended Trump's demands that the lawmakers be investigated. Supporters of the lawmakers say the video was meant to remind service members of their oath to the Constitution.

03:14 AM, 11/22/2025Politics

Senior political commentator Scott Jennings defended President Trump's angry response to a video in which several Democratic lawmakers urged military and intelligence personnel not to follow "illegal orders." Jennings made his remarks during an appearance on the PBD Podcast with host Patrick Bet-David.

Jennings criticized the lawmakers who appeared in the video — naming Sen. Mark Kelly and Representatives Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan — saying their warnings were vague and lacked any concrete example of an unlawful command.

"First of all, what they're saying is complete and utter bulls**t. There are no illegal orders. What illegal orders?! ... This is rhetoric designed to foment insurrection against the commander in chief and violence against the commander in chief."

He called the participants "clowns" and said the kind of rhetoric that frames the president as a threat to the Constitution has already contributed to violent incidents against government officials and agents. Jennings argued that, without specifying a particular order, the lawmakers' message risks inflaming tensions rather than responsibly addressing constitutional concerns.

President Trump reacted to the video on social media, demanding the lawmakers be "ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL" and warning that "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" is "punishable by DEATH!" Jennings defended Trump's outrage, saying a president would reasonably be upset by calls for service members to ignore orders from the commander in chief.

"Telling the soldiers not to follow orders from the commander in chief?! If I were Donald Trump, I would be outraged. He is outraged; he has every right to be outraged. This is extraordinarily irresponsible what these Democrats are doing."

Jennings' comments were delivered in a partisan context and reflect his view that the lawmakers' video crossed a line. Supporters of the lawmakers say their intent was to caution service members about illegal or unconstitutional directives and to remind troops and intelligence personnel of their oath to the Constitution.

The exchange highlights a broader debate over how public officials should warn about potential threats to democratic institutions without provoking further polarization or violence. Jennings made his remarks on the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David.