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Lawmakers Alarmed After Trump Amplifies Posts Suggesting Death Penalty for Democrats Who Urged Troops to Refuse Illegal Orders

President Trump amplified posts suggesting the death penalty for six Democrats who urged military personnel to refuse unlawful orders, provoking bipartisan alarm. The short video, led by Sen. Elissa Slotkin and joined by Sen. Mark Kelly and four House members, urged service members to uphold the Constitution. Lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republicans such as Sen. Rand Paul, condemned the rhetoric as dangerous. Reports of threats against some participants prompted police notifications and renewed calls for calmer public discourse.

11:06 PM, 11/24/2025Politics

President Donald Trump sparked bipartisan concern after amplifying posts that suggested the death penalty for six Democratic lawmakers who urged U.S. service members to refuse unlawful orders. The controversy followed a roughly one-minute video led by Sen. Elissa Slotkin in which six Democratic military and intelligence veterans — including Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Jason Crow — encouraged troops to uphold the Constitution and decline illegal commands.

Trump called the video "seditious behavior" on his social platform and reposted material arguing the actions were "punishable by DEATH." Several of the lawmakers featured in the video have since reported threats, including alleged bomb threats directed at Rep. Deluzio's offices and at Sen. Slotkin's home; those threats have been reported to law enforcement.

Bipartisan alarm and strong responses

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the president's language as "not just shocking" but "bizarre," "erratic," and "volatile," saying it "indicates a mental state that we should all be questioning right now."

"I think it indicates a mental state that we should all be questioning right now," — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, pushed back on national television, saying the president had "declared that loyalty to the Constitution was now punishable by death." On CBS's Face the Nation, Kelly added, "He's trying to intimidate us. But... I'm not going to be intimidated," and reiterated that service members are bound by an oath to refuse unlawful orders.

Republicans also voiced worry. Sen. Rand Paul called it "reckless" and inappropriate to label political opponents traitors and to suggest capital punishment as a response. Rep. Mike McCaul urged the president to "tone down the rhetoric," while Sens. Lindsey Graham and Thom Tillis warned that presidential language carries weight and can inflame tensions, especially when children and the public are watching.

Legal context and administration reaction

Military law experts note that service members are legally—and ethically—required to disobey unlawful orders, which is the core message of the Democrats' video. Allies of the president have defended his posts as protected political speech. The White House press office declined to say the president literally wants lawmakers executed while defending his criticism of the video.

The episode has intensified debate about presidential rhetoric and public safety, with officials across the aisle urging de-escalation even as they defend the right of service members to refuse illegal directives.

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