Congress Members Urged to Disobey Trump: FBI Interviews and Military Response
The FBI has reached out to the Capitol Police to arrange interviews with six members of Congress who recently appeared in a video urging military and intelligence personnel to disobey any potentially "illegal" orders from President Donald Trump. The video featured Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, along with House Representatives Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow, all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds. The message in the video emphasized the importance of refusing illegal orders and upholding the Constitution. While the video did not cite specific instances of Trump issuing illegal orders, it implied that such actions may have occurred. In response, Trump criticized the video on Truth Social, calling it "seditious behavior." Both the FBI and the Department of Justice are reportedly involved in the investigation, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth condemning the video as reckless and false. He specifically called out Mark Kelly, a retired Navy Commander, for potentially violating military regulations by using his rank and service affiliation in the video. The War Department is reviewing Kelly's case and may take disciplinary action against him, including the possibility of facing court-martial proceedings or other administrative penalties. The department emphasized that military retirees are still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice for applicable offenses and that any violations will be addressed through legal channels. Kelly responded to the criticism, stating that he will not be intimidated and will continue to hold the administration accountable. The situation highlights the tension between political statements made by members of Congress with military backgrounds and the military's code of conduct regarding obedience to lawful orders.