(WWJ) President Donald Trump has suggested that some Democratic lawmakers — including one from Michigan — have committed sedition, and that they could be put to death.
A group of Democrats with military and intelligence experience, including U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, posted a video saying the laws are clear, and military members can "refuse illegal orders" from the White House. They cited deployment of troops in US cities and airstrikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters.
"No one has to carry out orders that violate the law," Slotkin says, in the video, adding: "Don't give up the ship."
On Thursday, President Trump responded to the video on his social media site, Truth Social, writing: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH."
Trump also reposted a message from another Truth Social user that reads: "HANG THEM. GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD."
The Democrats responded, saying, in a joint statement: “We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation.
“What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.
“But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.
“In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.
“Don’t Give Up the Ship!”
Following President Trump's posting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked directly whether the president want to execute members of Congress, and she responded, "No."
Adding that the president is objecting to "dangerous rhetoric" by these lawmakers.
Ask whether the president's words are dangerous, Leavitt did not respond, asking instead: "Why aren't you talking about what these members of Congress are doing to encourage and insight violence?"
In a follow-up video shared to X, Slotkin said, "I would hope that people of all backgrounds — Democrat, Republican, Independent — would agree that threatening death for people you disagree with is beyond the pale of who were are as Americans. I love this country; it has given me everything, everything. And I refuse to believe this is the new normal."