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Democratic Lawmakers Under Trump DOJ Investigation for Military Video
Six Democratic lawmakers confirmed Wednesday they are under investigation by the Trump administration for a video in which they urged military members to resist “illegal orders.” The Justice Department’s probe represents a significant escalation in what the lawmakers describe as political intimidation.
The investigation targets four House members and two senators who previously served in the military or intelligence agencies. The FBI initially contacted them after their 90-second video was released last year, but the case has now advanced, with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia reaching out for formal interviews.
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst, was the first to reveal the prosecutors’ outreach in an interview with The New York Times. She later posted a video on social media stating that the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro had requested an interview with her last week.
“This is the president’s playbook. Truth doesn’t matter. Facts don’t matter. And anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy,” Slotkin said. “And he then weaponizes the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up.”
When contacted, Pirro’s office declined to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire also confirmed receiving similar outreach from Pirro’s office. The lawmakers have remained defiant in the face of the investigation.
“They would like to sit down with us,” Houlahan told reporters. “And to my knowledge, each one of us have received the same email and outreach.”
Crow asserted that the Trump administration had “picked the wrong people” to target, while Goodlander called the investigation “downright dangerous.”
“These threats will not deter, distract, intimidate, or silence me,” Goodlander stated.
The controversy centers on a video that President Trump and his administration have labeled as “seditious” – an offense Trump claimed on social media was “punishable by death.” Legal experts, however, have questioned what laws could have been violated in the lawmakers’ message.
In the 90-second video, the Democratic lawmakers advised military personnel to follow established protocols by not obeying unlawful commands. They expressed concern that the administration was “pitting our uniformed military against American citizens” and called for service members to “stand up for our laws.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended his colleagues on Wednesday, stating that “these members of Congress did not violate the law” and that Democrats “stand firmly behind them.”
The Pentagon has taken particularly aggressive action against Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former Navy pilot who appeared in the video. In November, defense officials opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that permits retired service members to be recalled to active duty for potential court-martial or other punishment.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not only censured Kelly but is attempting to retroactively demote him from his retired rank of captain. In response, Kelly has filed a lawsuit to block these proceedings, arguing they represent unconstitutional retaliation.
“The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech,” his lawsuit states.
The escalation of this investigation marks an extraordinary moment in U.S. politics, with the Justice Department targeting sitting members of Congress over a video that essentially reinforces military members’ existing obligation to disobey unlawful orders. Legal experts note that such investigations could have a chilling effect on political speech, particularly from those with military backgrounds who may wish to comment on the proper role of armed forces in a democracy.
The investigation comes amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats, with each side accusing the other of undermining democratic institutions.
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9 Comments
This situation highlights the importance of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. Rigorous oversight and transparency will be essential going forward.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I’ll be following the developments closely to try to understand the full context and implications.
It’s concerning to see the Justice Department potentially being used for political purposes. Maintaining the independence of law enforcement is crucial for a healthy democracy.
This certainly seems like a concerning escalation of political tensions. It’s important to ensure that all investigations are conducted fairly and impartially, without undue influence from the administration.
I agree, the use of federal resources for potential political intimidation is very troubling. Transparency and due process will be crucial in this case.
This raises some important questions about the boundaries between political speech and potential legal violations. I’ll be interested to see how this investigation unfolds and what the full facts are.
Indeed, navigating that line can be challenging. Hopefully this is handled objectively and the truth comes to light, regardless of partisan affiliations.
Allegations of political interference in federal investigations are always troubling. Hopefully this can be resolved through proper legal channels and due process.
Agreed. Maintaining the integrity of government institutions is vital, regardless of which party is in power.