Six Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds have sparked outrage by releasing a viral video directly urging U.S. troops to “refuse illegal orders,” a dangerous attempt to undermine civilian control of the military and sow discord within our armed forces.
Story Highlights
- Democratic lawmakers Elissa Slotkin, Mark Kelly, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow released controversial 90-second video targeting military personnel
- Video coincides with legislative efforts to strip presidential authority over National Guard deployment
- Conservative commentators including Pete Hegseth condemn the move as inflammatory and subversive
- Critics argue the unprecedented public appeal risks politicizing the military and undermining constitutional chain of command
Democrats Launch Direct Appeal to Military Personnel
Six Democratic lawmakers released a 90-second video on Tuesday directly addressing U.S. military personnel, urging them to refuse what they characterize as “illegal orders.” The lawmakers—Elissa Slotkin, Mark Kelly, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow—all cite military or intelligence backgrounds as justification for their unprecedented public intervention.
The video references concerns about threats to the Constitution originating domestically, an obvious reference to President Trump’s authority.
Coordinated Attack on Presidential Authority
The video represents part of a broader Democratic strategy to constrain President Trump’s executive powers. In recent weeks, these same lawmakers introduced legislation specifically designed to limit the President’s authority over National Guard deployment.
This coordinated effort reveals a dangerous pattern of Democrats attempting to circumvent constitutional civilian control of the military through both legislative and propaganda channels. Their actions fundamentally challenge the principle that elected civilian leadership directs military operations.
Constitutional Concerns and Military Chain of Command
While military personnel are indeed bound by law to refuse illegal orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Democrats’ public appeal represents an alarming departure from established protocols.
Military law experts acknowledge that such public calls from partisan lawmakers risk politicizing the armed forces and creating confusion within the ranks. The video bypasses proper military channels and established constitutional processes, potentially undermining the clear chain of command that protects both military effectiveness and democratic governance.
Conservative Backlash Exposes Democratic Overreach
Conservative commentators, led by Pete Hegseth, have rightfully condemned the video as irresponsible and inflammatory. Critics argue that this unprecedented move could sow discord among military personnel and weaken the fundamental principle of civilian control.
The backlash highlights how Democrats, still bitter over their electoral losses, are willing to damage critical institutions to obstruct the Trump administration’s legitimate authority to deploy military resources for national security purposes.
This dangerous precedent threatens to inject partisan politics directly into military decision-making, potentially compromising both unit cohesion and operational effectiveness. The Democrats’ actions reveal their willingness to undermine constitutional order when they cannot achieve their political objectives through legitimate democratic processes.
