6 Democratic lawmakers release video telling military: ‘You must refuse illegal orders’

Six Democratic members of Congress released a video on Tuesday targeted to members of the military and intelligence communities, advising them to defy any orders they are given that are illegal.

The lawmakers ― two U.S. Senators and four members of the House of Representatives ― stress that “no one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”

The 90-second video was posted to the social media accounts of Sen. Elissa Slotkin from Michigan, a former C.I.A. analyst who served multiple tours in Iraq, the New York Times reported. Slotkin is joined in the video by Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Jason Crow of Colorado.

The six take turns reading parts of this statement:

“We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community, who take risks every day to keep Americans safe. We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. 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. You must refuse illegal orders.

“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. 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, the Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical. And know that we have your back, 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. Don’t give up the ship.”

All six tout their military or intelligence experience in the video.

Though the lawmakers did not give examples of what orders could be illegal, Fox News reports that Slotkin recently introduced the “No Troops in Our Streets Act‚" which would limit President Donald Trump’s authority to deploy the National Guard into U.S. communities, and Crow introduced a “War Powers Continuing Resolution,” aimed at blocking Trump from ordering military strikes such as the recent ones on suspected drug traffickers.

The video was immediately criticized by members of the Trump administration. Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, responded on the social media site X that “Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection.”

Slotkin replied to Miller “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.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also responded to the video on X, simply saying “Stage 4 TDS,” meaning “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”