Trump’s Comments Spark Controversy Following Military Orders Video

On Saturday, former President Donald Trump made a bold claim, asserting that Democrats who urged the military to disregard illegal orders were engaging in “incitement at the highest level” and should currently be jailed.

This statement follows a video featuring Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, who was one of several Congress members urging military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. After the video’s release, Slotkin was faced with bomb threats, coinciding with Trump’s remarks that included threats of severe repercussions against Democrats.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to those in the video as “traitors” and stated they should be behind bars rather than appearing on various news platforms. “It never happened and it never will!” he exclaimed, maintaining that “this is incitement at the highest level, and incitement is a serious crime. There’s no other way to interpret what they said!”

Initially, Trump labeled the video’s message as “sedition” and suggested it could lead to death penalties. He even shared a post indicating that George Washington would have supported such extremities.

However, both the White House and Trump later tried to clarify these comments, asserting they didn’t actually intend to threaten Democratic leaders with execution.

In another post that day, Trump insisted that “many great jurists” backed his viewpoint: “The Democratic traitors who told the military not to follow my orders as president committed a grave crime!”

Slotkin, who has served with the CIA and Pentagon, posted a video earlier in the week alongside other officials from military backgrounds, encouraging military members and intelligence professionals to reject unlawful orders.

They stated, “This administration pits uniformed military personnel and intelligence professionals against the American people. You’ve sworn an oath to protect the Constitution. The threats now come not only from abroad but from here at home. Unlawful orders can—and must—be rejected.”

Other lawmakers who joined Slotkin in the video included Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow.

Reactions from Trump’s aides and fellow Republicans were largely critical of the video, insisting that declining illegal orders is a standard military protocol.

On Friday, Slotkin’s office reported a bomb threat at her Michigan residence, though she was not home at the time. Capitol Police assured her they would maintain security around her.

As she told MS Now, “Police are in front of my house… If the president is suggesting such things, we shouldn’t be surprised if individuals on the ground react similarly, or worse.”

Despite the threats, the lawmakers in the video remained steadfast, stating, “Most importantly, the president believes that our restatement of the law is punishable by death. Our service members should know they stand with us as we fulfill our oath to the Constitution and obey only lawful orders. This is not just the right thing; it’s our duty.”

They concluded that, “In times like these, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.”