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A group of Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds has ignited controversy with a video urging service members to “refuse illegal orders,” drawing sharp criticism from conservatives who view it as a call to defy President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The one-minute video, posted by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and viewed more than 1.6 million times, features six lawmakers who invoke their prior service while warning that “the threats to our Constitution are coming from right here at home.” The lawmakers include Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), representing various military branches and the CIA.
Titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” the video features several lawmakers repeating the refrain: “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” Set to triumphant music, the message frames their appeal as a warning to military personnel to “stand up for our laws.”
The video comes amid a broader legislative push by these same lawmakers to limit presidential military authority. Slotkin recently introduced the “No Troops in Our Streets Act,” which would give Congress power to block National Guard deployments in American cities. This legislation follows President Trump’s expanded National Guard operations in Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago to address violent crime.
Simultaneously, Rep. Crow introduced a War Powers Continuing Resolution aimed at blocking the president from ordering strikes on drug traffickers in the Caribbean—actions Crow described in a press release as “unauthorized and illegal.” Neither of these legislative efforts is explicitly mentioned in the controversial video.
Conservative voices have responded forcefully, interpreting the message as an encouragement for military insubordination. “Elected Democrats just released a video encouraging members of the military to commit treason and defy orders from Trump and Hegseth,” wrote the conservative account Libs of TikTok on social media.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) added: “At the end of the day, they’re mad the American people chose Trump and now they’re calling on the Military and Intelligence Community to intervene. Sounds a little ‘subversive to democracy’-ish.”
When contacted about the video, the Department of War directed media inquiries to Hegseth’s personal response, which simply read, “Stage 4 TDS,” referring to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term used by conservatives to describe what they see as irrational opposition to the president.
Rep. Houlahan defended the video in a statement, saying: “Some in the administration and media are actively working to distort that message into something dark or divisive. Let me be absolutely clear: there is nothing more patriotic, nothing more stabilizing and nothing more true to the rule of law than reminding our military of their constitutional obligations and reassuring them that, if they are ever given an unlawful order, they do not have to carry it out.”
She added that “‘Don’t Give Up the Ship’ is not a slogan of rebellion—it is a historic naval motto that has always stood for steadfastness, duty and loyalty to country. That is the backbone of American civil-military tradition.”
The timing of the video is notable, coming on the heels of a 43-day government shutdown during which American troops continued to receive pay under the Trump administration. This context adds another layer to the political tension surrounding the message.
The controversy highlights growing friction between the Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds and the Trump administration over the boundaries of executive power in military matters. Both sides claim to be defending constitutional principles, with Democrats emphasizing congressional oversight and Republicans accusing their opponents of undermining the chain of command.
The White House and several of the lawmakers featured in the video did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving questions about the specific intent and timing of the message unanswered as the debate continues to unfold.
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12 Comments
I’m troubled by this video’s call for the military to disobey orders. The armed forces must remain strictly non-partisan and focused on their constitutional duties, not political agendas. While I understand the lawmakers’ concerns, this approach seems misguided and potentially damaging.
Agreed. The military’s role is to serve the Constitution, not to act as a check on the elected civilian leadership, no matter which party is in power. Undermining the chain of command and discipline could lead to a breakdown of the civil-military relationship.
This video raises serious concerns about the politicization of the military. While the lawmakers’ intentions may be good, urging service members to disobey orders, even if they are deemed ‘illegal,’ is a very risky and potentially destabilizing move. The military must remain apolitical.
I agree completely. The military’s duty is to the Constitution, not to any particular political party or leader. Encouraging them to defy orders, even if well-intentioned, could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the rule of law. This is a very concerning development.
As a former service member, I understand the lawmakers’ concerns about potential illegal orders. However, the military chain of command and rules of engagement exist for good reason. Soldiers shouldn’t be encouraged to pick and choose which orders to follow based on political affiliation.
I agree. The military’s responsibility is to the Constitution, not to any political party or individual. Undermining the chain of command and discipline could have serious consequences for national security and the rule of law.
It’s concerning to see politicians seemingly trying to politicize the military in this way. The armed forces must remain apolitical and focused on their critical mission of defending the country. I hope this video doesn’t cause further division or undermine military discipline.
You make a fair point. The military’s role is to serve the Constitution, not any particular political party or administration. Calling on them to disobey orders could be seen as an attempt to enlist them in a partisan agenda, which is very problematic.
This is an interesting and concerning video from Democratic lawmakers. While I respect their military service, I’m not sure calling on the military to disobey orders is the right approach. It could set a dangerous precedent and undermine civilian control of the military.
I agree, this is a complex issue. The military has an obligation to follow lawful orders, but also a duty to disobey unlawful commands. It will be important to examine the specifics of any disputed orders to determine if they are truly illegal.
This video is a concerning attempt to politicize the military. While I respect the lawmakers’ military service, they should not be urging service members to defy lawful orders, even if they disagree with the administration. That could lead to a breakdown of military discipline and the rule of law.
Exactly. The military must remain apolitical and focused on its mission. Encouraging them to refuse orders, no matter how well-intentioned, is a dangerous path that could have far-reaching consequences for civil-military relations and national security.