A band of Democratic lawmakers is urging members of the U.S. military to defy orders from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if the orders are illegal.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan Democrat, posted a video Tuesday on X with half a dozen other members of Congress who have either military or intelligence backgrounds, telling service members not to “give up the ship,” a famous rallying cry from the War of 1812.
“Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders,” they said, taking turns delivering the lines.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the Democratic lawmakers are “openly calling for insurrection.”
The lawmakers included Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Reps. Chris DeLuzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Jason Crow of Colorado.
“We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe,” the lawmakers said in the video. “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now.”
The lawmakers said that American trust in the military is at risk because the Trump administration “is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.”
“Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution,” they said. “The threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.”
The lawmakers pointed to the military code that says service members must obey lawful orders and disobey unlawful orders.
“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution,” they said. “We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant.”
“But whether you are serving in the CIA, the Army, our Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical. And know that we have your back,” they said. “Because now more than ever, the American people need you. We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution, and who we are as Americans.”
The lawmakers didn’t specifically mention any orders that Mr. Trump or Mr. Hegseth have made that they consider illegal.
Administration officials were quick to criticize the video.
Mr. Hegseth said the lawmakers have “Stage 4 TDS” or Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Other military veterans also responded with dismay.
“When I was a Special Forces Captain, I refused the unlawful order to receive an experimental shot and was forced out of the Army for it,” John Frankman, a former Green Beret, wrote on X. “Where do Democrats get off putting out [expletive] like this?”
