Former President Donald Trump criticized several Democratic lawmakers as traitors after they posted a video encouraging military personnel to uphold the Constitution and refuse illegal orders. The video, featuring veterans from both armed services and intelligence backgrounds, emphasizes the stress faced by service members and the importance of standing up for American laws. In response to this video, Trump labeled the actions of these lawmakers as sedition, saying it should be met with severe consequences and later claimed that they deserved imprisonment.

Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elissa Slotkin, expressed that Trump was presenting a threat to U.S. democracy by urging military members to disregard lawful orders. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer metaphorically warned about Trump’s rhetoric igniting a volatile political climate.

Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, distanced himself from Trump's comments, suggesting they may not incite violence but viewed the Democrats' plea as wildly inappropriate. Trump's allies have dismissed the video as insurrection, while military officials noted that illegal orders should indeed be rejected as established military protocol.

The situation has reignited discussions about the limits of military obedience, especially during tumultuous political times, with experts asserting the necessity of lawful orders in maintaining order within the armed forces. The Pentagon reiterated that military leaders uphold legal orders and do not endorse calls for disobedience.