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Sen. Murkowski Condemns FBI and DoD Probe of Six Democrats After 'Refuse Illegal Orders' Video

Sen. Lisa Murkowski criticized the FBI and Department of Defense after reports that six Democratic lawmakers were investigated over a video urging service members to "refuse illegal orders." She defended Sen. Mark Kelly as the DoD considers possible court-martial action. Former President Donald Trump called the video "seditious," reposted violent rhetoric, and threats against lawmakers followed, prompting round-the-clock protection for Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Murkowski called the probe frivolous and said federal agencies should prioritize other matters.

02:16 PM, 11/26/2025Politics
Sen. Murkowski Condemns FBI and DoD Probe of Six Democrats After 'Refuse Illegal Orders' Video

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) publicly criticized the FBI and the Department of Defense after reports that the agencies launched inquiries into six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video urging members of the armed forces and intelligence community to "refuse illegal orders."

Murkowski specifically defended Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, after media reports said the Pentagon is weighing possible court-martial action. The video also featured Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). All six have military or intelligence backgrounds.

"Senator Kelly valiantly served our country as an aviator in the U.S. Navy before later completing four space shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut. To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong. The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation."

The lawmakers' video drew a sharp response from former President Donald Trump, who called the clip "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and wrote that "Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET." Reports also noted he reposted messages that included violent rhetoric, including calls to "HANG THEM."

Following the backlash, Sen. Slotkin said the U.S. Capitol Police informed her she would receive continuous protection. She told reporters that threats escalated almost immediately after the video’s release: "I’ve had threats here and there. It was instantaneous. I mean, hundreds, if not at this point, thousands of calls, emails, texts, obviously online postings."

Murkowski characterized the investigation as misplaced and urged federal agencies to focus on higher priorities, arguing that questioning veterans and former intelligence personnel for advising service members about unlawful orders is inappropriate.

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