Democratic lawmakers are facing an investigation initiated by the Trump administration after they released a video encouraging military personnel to resist “illegal orders.” This unprecedented step from the Justice Department follows accusations from President Donald Trump, who labeled the lawmakers’ remarks as seditious. The four House members and two senators involved have all previously served in the military or intelligence roles.
The FBI first contacted these lawmakers for interviews in late 2023, shortly after the 90-second video was made public. They have now reported being approached by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia, marking a significant escalation in the inquiry. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst, disclosed the outreach from prosecutors during an interview with The New York Times. On Wednesday, she shared a video on her X account, stating that the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro sought an interview with her last week.
“This is the president’s playbook. Truth doesn’t matter. Facts don’t matter. And anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy,” Slotkin asserted. “And he then weaponizes the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up.” Pirro’s office has declined to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
Support from fellow lawmakers has been strong, with Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire also acknowledging outreach from Pirro’s office. “They would like to sit down with us,” Houlahan told reporters, noting that each member received similar communication.
Despite the pressure, the House members remain resolute. Crow emphasized that the Trump administration “picked the wrong people.” The video that incited this controversy urged service members to adhere to established military protocols and not to follow orders that contravene the law. In it, the lawmakers expressed concerns that the administration “is pitting our uniformed military against American citizens,” calling on service members to “stand up for our laws.”
Houlahan expressed her disbelief that the President of the United States would call for her execution for advocating lawful conduct. “At this point in time, I’m still sort of wrestling with the fact that the president of the United States has asked for my execution for asking people to follow the law,” she stated.
The Pentagon has also taken action against Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former Navy pilot who participated in the video. In November 2023, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, invoking a federal law that permits retired service members to be recalled to active duty for possible court-martial. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly criticized Kelly for his involvement, attempting to retroactively demote him from his retired rank of captain. Kelly has since filed a lawsuit against Hegseth, claiming that these actions represent unconstitutional retaliation against his protected speech.
“The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech,” the lawsuit contends.
The situation continues to unfold, with these lawmakers standing firm in their stance against what they perceive as political intimidation. As the investigation progresses, the implications for both the individuals involved and the broader political landscape remain significant.
