President Trump on Thursday denounced as “traitors” a group of Democratic lawmakers who have called on military service members to defy orders that are illegal or violate the Constitution.
In a string of posts on his social media site, Trump derided the six Democrats, all of whom are military veterans, for their recent video message directed at members of the military. He called for their arrest, imprisonment, trial and execution for what he claimed was “seditious behavior.”
“It’s called seditious behavior at the highest level,” Trump wrote. “Each one of these traitors to our country should be arrested and put on trial … An example must be set.”
“Punishable by death,” he added.
Trump was referring to a video message featuring Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), as well as Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), all of whom are veterans of the military or national security agencies.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
“Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” the lawmakers say in the video, entitled “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” “Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders.”
The lawmakers didn’t specify any orders by Trump or others that they believe could be improper or illegal in the video posted on social media on Tuesday.
Deluzio called on Republicans to distance themselves from Trump’s threats.
“It’s an outrageous call for political violence,” Deluzio said.
The Trump administration is fighting multiple court cases over its use of active-duty military troops and National Guard forces in American cities, raising legal questions about how and whether the military can be deployed on domestic soil.
The legality of Trump’s military campaign targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea has also been challenged by some analysts for potentially violating U.S. and international law. At least 83 people have been killed in the strikes since September, but no evidence has been presented tying the boats or victims to crimes.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that Trump’s threats could endanger the lawmakers in question by inciting his loyal followers.
“He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline,” Schumer said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson shrugged off Trump’s remarks, saying the president was merely “defining a crime,” and instead trained his ire at the Democratic lawmakers.
“It’s a wildly inappropriate thing for so-called leaders of Congress to do, to encourage troops to disobey orders,” Johnson said.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice says service members are required to follow only lawful orders. Troops who follow illegal orders could face prosecution.
