CNN Panel Erupts Over Video Urging Service Members to Refuse ‘Illegal’ Orders — Debate Spirals Into Accusations

The CNN panel became contentious after conservative guest Ben Ferguson said a video of six Democratic lawmakers urged service members to defy the president. Host Abby Phillip and other panelists argued the clip specifically called on troops to refuse only unlawful orders, a concept grounded in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. President Trump posted "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" in response, and the White House warned that the video could undermine the military chain of command.

04:29 AM, 11/24/2025Politics

CNN Panel Erupts Over Video Urging Service Members to Refuse ‘Illegal’ Orders — Debate Spirals Into Accusations

Thursday night, a televised panel discussion grew heated when conservative commentator Ben Ferguson accused a recently released video of Democratic lawmakers of urging U.S. service members to defy the president. Host Abby Phillip and other panelists countered that the clip urged troops to refuse only unlawful orders, a distinction rooted in military law.

The one-minute online video, posted earlier in the week, featured six Democratic members of Congress, including Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Speaking directly to military and intelligence personnel, the lawmakers invoked their own service backgrounds and warned that "the threats to our Constitution are coming from right here at home." The video concluded with the line: "You must refuse illegal orders."

On the panel, Ferguson characterized the message as a call to disobey the president. That framing prompted sharp pushback from Phillip and other guests, who said the clip explicitly focused on unlawful orders rather than blanket defiance of presidential authority. The exchange escalated into interruptions and raised voices as participants exchanged accusations about who was misstating the video’s content.

"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"

President Donald Trump responded on his social platform with the all‑caps post above, which critics called a threatening escalation. The White House press secretary later warned reporters that the lawmakers’ message risked undermining the military chain of command and could lead to chaos if service members were encouraged to ignore lawful orders.

Panelists referenced the established military principle that service members are required to disobey unlawful orders — a standard reflected in the Uniform Code of Military Justice — while stressing that the video did not tell troops to refuse lawful directives from civilian leadership.

The heated on‑air exchange underscores how political messaging about the military can rapidly polarize discussion. Participants debated not only the wording and intent of the video but also broader questions about the boundaries of political speech by members of Congress and the proper responsibilities of service members under civilian command.

Key takeaways:

The video urged service members to refuse illegal orders, not to disobey lawful presidential commands.
Commentators disagreed sharply over whether that message amounted to encouraging defiance of the president.
The episode prompted a forceful response from the president and a warning from the White House about preserving the chain of command.