More Democrats Say DOJ Prosecutors Contacted Them After Video Urging Troops Not To Follow Illegal Orders

WASHINGTON — Three additional Democratic members of Congress said Wednesday that federal prosecutors contacted them after they appeared in a video urging service members and intelligence personnel not to follow unlawful orders.

Representatives Jason Crow (Colo.), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.) and Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.) responded defiantly, saying they will resist any probe they describe as politically motivated by the Trump administration.

"Donald Trump called for my arrest, prosecution, and execution—all because I said something he didn’t like. Now he’s pressuring his political appointees to harass me for daring to speak up and hold him accountable,"

Goodlander wrote on X, "It is sad and telling that simply stating a bedrock principle of American law caused the President of the United States to threaten violence against me, and it is downright dangerous that the Justice Department is targeting me for doing my job. These threats will not deter, distract, intimidate, or silence me."

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., outside the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6. (Eric Lee / Getty Images)

Houlahan posted on social media: "The six of us are being targeted not because we said something untrue, but because we said something President Trump and Secretary Hegseth didn’t want anyone to hear."

Who Was Contacted and Why

The video, released in November by six former members of the military and intelligence communities, reminded service members of their legal duty not to comply with illegal orders. Crow’s office said Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, reached out last week seeking an interview with Crow about the video.

Pirro’s office, which is seen as closely aligned with former President Trump, declined to confirm or deny an investigation when asked for comment: "We do not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation."

Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., at the Electoral College vote count during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2025. (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Broader Reaction And Legal Moves

President Trump strongly criticized the lawmakers after the video’s release, accusing them of "seditious behavior" and suggesting their actions could be "punishable by death." The following day he told conservative radio host Brian Kilmeade he was "not threatening death," but added, "I think they’re in serious trouble."

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), another participant in the video, said Tuesday that Pirro's office contacted her as part of an inquiry. In November, Crow and three other participants — Goodlander, Houlahan and Rep. Chris Deluzio (Pa.) — said the FBI had sought interviews with the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms about the video.

The sixth Democrat in the video, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a retired Navy captain, sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense on Monday, challenging efforts to censure or demote him over his remarks. The lawsuit described those efforts as "unlawful and unconstitutional." Both Kelly and Crow say no FBI interviews have taken place so far.

Context: The dispute highlights tensions between lawmakers who are military veterans or advocates for legal limits on orders and the current administration, which has publicly condemned the video and signaled interest in investigating its participants.