WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is calling for some Democratic members in Congress to be arrested and receive the death penalty after a video those Democrats released. Those members told servicemembers and intelligence officials they are allowed to refuse illegal orders.
In a series of social media posts and reposts from President Trump, he’s calling for the arrest and death penalty for some Democratic Congressional members after what they said this in a video recently:
“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now,” said the Democratic members in the video, which include: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D- MI), Sen. Mark Kelly (D- AZ), Rep. Jason Crow (D- CO), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D- NH), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D- PA) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D- PA). “Americans trust their military but that trust is at risk. 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 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 can refuse illegal orders.”
In the video, these members didn’t name any specific actions the military or intelligence officials have been told to carry out that would be considered illegal.
Trump wrote on social media in part: “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.” In another message: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The President’s messages sent shockwaves among Democrats.
“He is not saying this in a vacuum, he is throwing a match into a country filled with political extreme gasoline,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D- NY), Senate Minority Leader. “It is dangerous it is devastating. I don’t know any president who has gone this low. I’ve never seen president done more to encourage political violence.”
Senator Slotkin is responding to the President’s comments by saying she will not be forced away speaking up for her country:
“This really isn’t about those of us who made the video, this is about who we are as Americans and how we’re gonna engage with people who we disagree with,” said the Senator in a video she shared on social media. “I would hope people of all backgrounds, Democrat, Republican, Independent, would agree that threatening death who you disagree with is beyond the pale of who we are as Americans.”
The White House said every order given to servicemembers has been lawful.
“To suggest and encourage that active duty service members defy the chain of command is a very dangerous thing for sitting members of Congress to do, and they should be held accountable,” said White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
Senator Schumer was asked if he agreed with those Democrats’ video message on refusing to carry out illegal orders. He said their comments “were not at all close or incendiary” and he believes “they have an absolute right to say it.”