Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition Over Video Message to US Military, Threatens 'Death' Penalty
Image Source: Internet
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by accusing six Democratic lawmakers of sedition, a crime punishable by death, after they released a video message urging US military members to defy 'illegal orders' and uphold the Constitution. The 90-second video, posted on Tuesday by Senator Elissa Slotkin, features six lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, speaking directly to US service members about the importance of standing up for the law and the Constitution. Trump amplified the video on Thursday, adding his own inflammatory commentary, including a call for the lawmakers' arrest and trial. However, experts argue that the lawmakers' message is not a call to subvert authority, but rather a restatement of a long-standing military doctrine that prohibits following illegal orders. According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, troops have a duty to refuse orders that they deem unlawful. While military commanders have the authority to make such determinations, rank-and-file troops are not always in a position to do so. The controversy comes as the Trump administration continues to face challenges over the deployment of National Guard troops in US cities, with some deployments being pulled back or held up in court. In response to the video, Trump's allies, including Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, have dismissed the lawmakers' message as 'out of their minds.' However, experts argue that the issue is not about politics, but about upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. The incident highlights the increasing tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats, with some accusing the President of trying to distract from other issues, including the upcoming release of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
