Democrats Urge Military to Defy Orders in New Video

A group of six Democratic legislators with military or intelligence experience released a video on Tuesday titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship”. This 60-second clip specifically calls on service members and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders” from the Trump administration.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded by labeling the video as “Stage 4 TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome) on social media, and several commentators accused the lawmakers of promoting treason. Despite this backlash, the legislators aimed to remind military personnel of their oaths to uphold the Constitution over unlawful directives.

The lawmakers included Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), and Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.). They expressed concern that public trust in the military is jeopardized by perceived pressures influencing military leadership. Although the video didn’t mention President Trump directly, the implications were clear and met with criticism from various quarters.

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now,” they said. “Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. You all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution.” They further stated that threats to the Constitution are not only external but also coming from within, urging service members to refuse any illegal orders.

Since September, the Trump administration has been conducting military operations against suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 individuals. In light of concerns raised by Democrats regarding the legality of these strikes, the Department of Justice clarified that service members would not face criminal repercussions, framing these actions as part of an armed conflict with drug cartels.

Republicans quickly criticized the video. Conservative social media accounts accused Democratic lawmakers of encouraging military insubordination. Some Republican candidates questioned the clarity of the unlawful orders mentioned by their opponents.

Senate Democrats also expressed apprehension in an October letter, arguing that military personnel are facing dangerous dilemmas when ordered to execute lethal actions against alleged cartel vessels, citing illegal killing as prohibited under military law.

In a related move, Slotkin introduced the No Troops in Our Streets Act, which would limit the Trump Administration’s authority to deploy the National Guard domestically. This legislation aims to provide Congress with the power to prevent military deployments within the U.S. at any time with a simple majority vote.

“The U.S. military should always remain apolitical,” Slotkin emphasized. “This legislation ensures that no president, Democrat or Republican, can turn our soldiers against our citizens.”

The release of the video followed a lengthy 43-day government shutdown that recently ended, during which U.S. service members risked not receiving their paychecks. This situation changed only due to President Trump’s intervention to reallocate funds for military salaries.

Senate Democrats had previously blocked multiple attempts to reopen the government, voting against a House-supported funding bill repeatedly.