The FBI has opened inquiries into six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a social media video urging U.S. military personnel to “refuse illegal orders,” escalating tensions between federal law enforcement and members of Congress.

The lawmakers include Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds. The video emphasized that U.S. troops are sworn to uphold the Constitution, not the president, and must reject unlawful orders.

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Government Response

• Pentagon Review: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred Kelly to the Navy Secretary for a review of “potentially unlawful comments.”
• FBI Interviews: The bureau, led by Trump appointee Kash Patel, has requested interviews to determine whether any legal wrongdoing occurred.
• Political Reactions: Slotkin called the investigation a “scare tactic” and accused President Trump of weaponizing federal agencies against critics. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) criticized the probe as “frivolous” and a misuse of government resources.

President Trump had previously accused the lawmakers of sedition, claiming the act is “punishable by DEATH” in a social media post, raising alarms among Democrats and some Republicans over federal intimidation of Congress members.

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Legal Context

U.S. military law obliges service members to follow lawful orders and reject those that are illegal. This principle is rooted in historical precedent, including the Nuremberg defense, which holds that simply “following orders” does not absolve individuals from accountability.

The lawmakers emphasized that their video was intended to educate troops on constitutional and legal obligations, particularly amid recent military directives, such as attacks on boats in the Caribbean accused of smuggling drugs and the attempted deployment of National Guard troops in domestic operations.

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Key Takeaways

• Six Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds are under FBI review.
• The Pentagon is simultaneously evaluating Senator Kelly for potential violations.
• Lawmakers argue the video reflects existing U.S. law and accuse the Trump administration of intimidation.
• The case underscores the tensions between federal agencies and elected officials, and the legal balance between constitutional duties and presidential orders.