Democratic Lawmakers Say They’re Facing Threats After Trump’s Posts About “Illegal Orders” Video

Several congressional Democrats are raising alarms about their safety after recent social media posts from President Trump targeted them for appearing in a video about military conduct. The lawmakers, all veterans of the military or intelligence community, released a video reminding service members that they can refuse unlawful commands. In the clip, they say plainly that U.S. laws allow troops to reject illegal orders and that they have a responsibility to do so.

President Trump responded on social media by accusing the six lawmakers of seditious behavior, calling them traitors and suggesting they should be locked up. He also shared a comment from another user who wrote “hang them,” adding that George Washington would approve. The language has prompted immediate concern across Capitol Hill.

Senator Alyssa Slotkin said by Thursday evening she had received close to a thousand new threats and now has full-time security. Slotkin said she is worried not only for herself but also for her staff and family. Senator Mark Kelly, whose wife survived an assassination attempt in 2011, echoed those concerns. Kelly defended the lawmakers’ message, saying they were upholding the Constitution and speaking to long-standing legal principles within the military.

The White House pushed back against the lawmakers’ claims, arguing that the president has never issued illegal orders and calling the Democrats’ video dangerous. Officials said the chain of command is essential to military safety and that undermining it could cause chaos.

As criticism and threats escalate, Washington continues to grapple with the fallout from what has become a high-stakes clash between political messaging, military ethics, and public safety. The lawmakers involved say they stand by their video, while security concerns around them continue to grow.

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