President Trump Thursday denounced as “traitors” a gaggle of Democratic lawmakers who’ve referred to as on navy service members to defy orders which might be unlawful or violate the Structure.
In a string of posts on his social media website, Trump derided the six Democrats, all of whom are navy veterans, for his or her latest video message directed at members of the navy. He referred to as for his or her 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.
Nationwide Guard members weed an space as they clear up a park close to the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2025. (JIM WATSON/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Trump was referring to a video message that includes Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), in addition to Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pennsylvania), all of whom are veterans of the navy or nationwide safety businesses.
“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 within 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 consider might be improper or unlawful within the video posted on social media on Tuesday.
The Trump administration is combating a number of court docket instances over its use of active-duty navy troops and Nationwide Guard forces in American cities, elevating authorized questions on how and whether or not the navy might be deployed on home soil.
Members of the Nationwide Guard patrol the Nationwide Mall on September 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP through Getty Photographs)
The legality of Trump’s navy marketing campaign focusing on suspected drug traffickers within the Caribbean Sea has additionally been challenged by some analysts for probably violating U.S. and worldwide regulation. No less than 83 folks have been killed within the strikes since September, however no proof has been introduced tying the boats or victims to crimes.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) warned that Trump’s threats might endanger the lawmakers in query by inciting his loyal followers.
“He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline,” Schumer mentioned.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson shrugged off Trump’s remarks, saying the president was merely “defining a crime,” and as an alternative skilled his ire on the Democratic lawmakers.
“It’s a wildly inappropriate thing for so-called leaders of Congress to do, to encourage troops to disobey orders,” Johnson mentioned.
The Uniform Code of Army Justice says service members are required to comply with solely lawful orders. Troops who comply with unlawful orders might face prosecution.
