President Donald Trump issued a series of fiery Truth Social posts on Thursday morning, denouncing a group of Democrat lawmakers who recorded a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to reject illegal commands. The lawmakers involved, all veterans or former intelligence officials, became the focus of an escalating war of words that quickly spread across Washington.
Trump reacted to their video by insisting that the conduct crossed a dangerous line. In one post, he declared, “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.” He followed with another message saying, “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” A third post escalated the tone even further: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Alongside his own comments, Trump amplified multiple Truth Social posts from supporters, including one message stating, “Hang them George Washington would.”
The video that sparked the explosion was posted by Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Speaking directly to those in uniform and to intelligence officers, the lawmakers said, “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military but that trust is at risk.” The group included Slotkin, 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. Their message continued: “This 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. Right now, the threats coming to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.”
Almost immediately after Slotkin’s video went live, Trump advisor Stephen Miller attacked it as “openly calling for insurrection.” Slotkin rejected the criticism, writing, “This is the law. Passed down from our Founding Fathers, to ensure our military upholds its oath to the Constitution — not a king. Given you’re directing much of a military policy, you should buff up on the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.”
The confrontation takes place as Trump continues to face backlash over recent deployments of troops to various American cities and his directive ordering strikes on suspected drug vessels in international waters. While Democrats have consistently opposed these measures, Republicans have mostly aligned with Trump’s approach, despite moments of hesitation inside the party.
At the White House later in the day, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was literally calling for the execution of members of Congress. Her reply was, “no,” though she immediately shifted blame back onto the Democrats in the video. She argued that “many in this room want to talk about the president’s response, but not what brought the president to responding in this way,” adding that the lawmakers had “conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States Military… encouraging them to defy the President’s lawful orders.” She suggested that their actions “perhaps is punishable by law,” while clarifying, “I’m not a lawyer. I’ll leave that to the Department of Justice in the Department of War to decide.”
The lawmakers targeted by Trump issued a joint statement hours after his posts, asking Americans to “unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence.” They added, “What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders.”
Their message was echoed by top Democrat leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior House Democrats released a statement characterizing Trump’s messages as “disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress.” They also confirmed they had been in contact with U.S. Capitol Police because of heightened security concerns.
On the Senate floor, Chuck Schumer warned that Trump’s rhetoric had crossed a perilous threshold. “The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious,” he said. Schumer went on to caution, “When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro weighed in publicly on behalf of two of his state’s congressional delegation, Houlahan and DeLuzio, saying Trump “called for violence” against them. Shapiro accused Trump of “actively encouraging political violence once again” and condemned the silence of Republican allies who decline to challenge him.
This latest firestorm comes amid a string of deeply troubling incidents: the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker, an arson attack at Shapiro’s residence, and two attempts on Trump’s life. Even as political rhetoric intensifies, NBC News polling shows Americans increasingly believe extreme language contributes directly to violence.
Complicating matters further, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she has been subjected to increased threats after Trump criticized her online, while several Indiana Republican lawmakers reported swatting attempts hours after Trump blasted them over their stance on redistricting.
{Matzav.com}