Trump Doubles Down: Calls Democratic Military Veterans “Seditious” and Invokes Death Penalty Rhetoric

Former President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds after they urged troops to refuse illegal orders. Trump labeled their actions "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR," suggested they should be arrested, and wrote that such conduct is "punishable by DEATH," later repeating similar language in a radio interview. Reps. Jason Crow and Chrissy Houlahan have asked the U.S. Capitol Police to investigate. Critics warn the rhetoric could intimidate the lawmakers and risk their safety.

02:43 AM, 11/22/2025Politics

Former President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on six Democratic members of Congress — all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds — after they released a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.

On Thursday morning Trump posted on his social media platform accusing the lawmakers of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" and writing that "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 reading in part, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"

He also amplified an online comment that said, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

The posts sparked immediate concern that the heated rhetoric could put the targeted veterans at risk. Rather than de-escalate, Trump returned to the subject the next day during a Fox News Radio interview with Brian Kilmeade.

"I'm not threatening death, but I think they're in serious trouble," Trump said, adding, "In the old days, if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death," and repeating that modern times are "a lot softer."

He also accused the lawmakers of having "broke[n] the law," without identifying any statute. Observers note that labeling actions "illegal" without specifics is a pattern that complicates assessments of any real legal violation.

Concerns and response

The remarks prompted members of Congress to call for review. Representative Jason Crow of Colorado — a decorated veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan — asked the U.S. Capitol Police to investigate what he described as "intimidating, threatening, and concerning" comments. Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran who appeared in the video, made a similar request to the Capitol Police.

It remains unclear whether the Capitol Police will open a formal probe. Legal experts say context, intent and the speaker's influence all matter when assessing whether rhetoric crosses into criminal threats. Many critics say that prefacing a statement with "I'm not threatening death, but..." while repeatedly invoking death undermines any denial and risks encouraging violence or intimidation.

Why it matters

Supporters of the lawmakers say their video urged lawful, ethical conduct by service members; critics say the message could be construed as political pressure on the military. Because the targets are veterans who once held positions of trust in uniform or in the intelligence community, the episode has drawn particular scrutiny and renewed debate about the boundaries of political speech, safety for public officials, and commands within the armed forces.

The situation remains fluid, and officials are monitoring whether law enforcement will pursue an investigation into the former president's posts and comments.