In a recent outburst on social media, President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of engaging in seditious behavior, which he claims is punishable by death. This accusation follows the release of a video in which these lawmakers urge U.S. service members to refuse unlawful commands. Trump described their actions as "really bad" and "dangerous to our country," asserting that their words cannot be allowed to stand. In his post, he declared, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???", further escalating the already heated political climate.
The six lawmakers implicated in Trump's accusations have all served in the military or intelligence community. They firmly rejected Trump's claims, describing his remarks as dangerous and indicative of threats against elected officials. In a joint statement, they emphasized, "No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation." The video, shared by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, features Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Chris DeLuzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow.
In the video, Senator Kelly, a former Navy officer and astronaut, stated, "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution." The lawmakers further argued that the current administration is creating a divide between uniformed military personnel and American citizens, stressing that the threats to the Constitution are both foreign and domestic.
Trump's explosive comments were shared in a series of posts on Truth Social, where he labeled the lawmakers as "traitors" and called for their arrest and trial. He wrote, "Each one of these traitors to our country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL." He insisted that their statements could lead to the downfall of the country, stating, "We won't have a country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET." In another post, he referred to seditious behavior as "punishable by DEATH!"
Additionally, Trump shared a post that provocatively stated, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!" This rhetoric has raised alarms about the potential for inciting violence against lawmakers who oppose him.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the notion that Trump was calling for violence against members of Congress. She accused the lawmakers of encouraging military personnel to disobey lawful orders and asserted that their comments could be punishable by law. Leavitt emphasized the need to focus on the lawmakers' remarks rather than Trump's response.
Leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has stated they are collaborating with Capitol Police to ensure the safety of the lawmakers targeted by Trump's posts. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Trump's statements, demanding that the president retract his violent rhetoric to prevent potential harm. In contrast, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump, asserting that he was merely defining the crime of sedition and labeling the Democrats' video as "wildly inappropriate and very dangerous."
Trump's remarks come amid growing fears of politically motivated violence in the United States. A recent study by the Pew Research Center indicated that 85% of Americans believe such violence is on the rise. This sentiment has been echoed by various polls, including one from Politico and Public First. Trump himself has been the target of alleged assassination attempts, underscoring the escalating tensions in American politics.
This year has seen several high-profile incidents of violence, including the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and an arson attack on the home of Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Furthermore, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has reported receiving an increased number of threats since publicly breaking with Trump on certain policies.
The political landscape in the U.S. is increasingly fraught with tension as accusations and threats escalate. Trump's comments regarding seditious behavior and calls for action against Democratic lawmakers have drawn widespread criticism and concern from various political factions. As the nation grapples with the implications of such rhetoric, the safety of public officials and the integrity of political discourse remain at the forefront of national discussions.