Dem veterans break silence after viral video causes backlash on social media: ‘Frustrated’
In a recent viral video, a group of Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania, urged U.S. service members to refuse unlawful orders, sparking a significant divide in political interpretation. The lawmakers, who possess military or intelligence backgrounds, emphasized the importance of adhering to the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which allows service members to reject illegal commands. Houlahan expressed her frustration over how the video was misconstrued, asserting that the message was not about disobeying orders but rather about understanding the legal framework that governs military conduct. She stated, “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders,” highlighting the lawmakers’ intent to remind service members of their constitutional obligations.
The video, which did not specify particular orders that might be considered unlawful, drew sharp criticism from Republican leaders who labeled the Democratic message as politically charged and indicative of paranoia towards former President Trump. For instance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth mocked the Democrats, suggesting they are suffering from “Stage 4 TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome), while Senator Eric Schmitt accused them of attempting to incite military intervention in political matters. In contrast, some Democrats, including Senator Jack Reed, acknowledged the complexity of distinguishing lawful from unlawful orders, supporting the general principle behind the video but cautioning against its practical implications. The lawmakers, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, reiterated that military personnel have a duty to question commands that may violate constitutional principles, underscoring the critical nature of the discourse surrounding military ethics and legality in the current political climate.
The conversation surrounding this video reflects broader tensions in American politics, particularly regarding the role of the military and the interpretation of lawful orders. Lawmakers like Rep. Jason Crow pointed to the UCMJ as a guiding document for service members, emphasizing that it exists to prevent abuses of power and protect citizens from military overreach. Houlahan further elaborated that there are established channels within the military for service members to appeal orders they believe to be unlawful, reinforcing the notion that military personnel must balance their duty to follow orders with their obligation to uphold the Constitution. As this debate unfolds, it highlights the critical need for clarity and dialogue about the responsibilities of those in uniform, especially in an era marked by political polarization and heightened scrutiny of military actions.
Democrats
and Republicans heard two very different takeaways when a group of Democratic lawmakers called on U.S. service members not to carry out certain orders in a video that went viral on social media Tuesday.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., one of the lawmakers featured in the video, expressed exasperation with how critics had framed the message.Â
“I’m not telling people to ignore orders,” Houlahan said Wednesday. “I’m enormously frustrated with the way that this very sensible video is being interpreted in a really insidious way.”Â
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Houlahan and five other Democrats with military or intelligence experience had
encouraged service members
not to carry out unlawful orders.
“The threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution,” the lawmakers said.
“Don’t give up the ship,” the video added, a reference to a phrase used by the Navy.
Houlahan was joined by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H.
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The video did not give an example of what specific kinds of orders service members might have to refuse.Â
In a
separate post to X
, Slotkin hinted that service members asked to carry out airstrikes off the coast of Venezuela might be engaging in illegal strikes and said that some pilots had expressed concern about their involvement.
Republicans responding to the exhortation mocked it as an example of Democratic paranoia toward Trump.
“[It’s] Stage 4 TDS,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said
in a post to X
, referring to Trump Derangement Syndrome, a moniker for the Democrats’ fixation on the president.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said the call sounded politically charged.
“At the end of the day, they’re mad the American people chose Trump, and now they’re calling on the military and intelligence community to intervene. Sounds a little ‘subversive to democracy’-ish,” Schmitt said.Â
When asked about the video, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he supports the exhortation in principle but noted that it’s sometimes difficult to parse what’s permissible and what isn’t.Â
“You can’t disobey the Constitution,” Reed said. “The issue though, on a practical sense to me, is that determination is often very difficult to make.”
The Democrats who made the video believe the video said they had a very specific standard in mind.Â
When asked what kinds of orders service members should ignore, Crow, one of the lawmakers in the video, pointed to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
“The purpose is to remind people of their oath and their obligation to the Constitution and their obligations under the UCMJ, which are very clear,” Crow said.Â
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The UCMJ, passed by Congress in 1951, governs a gamut of issues service members may be penalized for, ranging from desertion to committing war crimes. The video posted by the lawmakers Tuesday does not mention the UCMJ by name.
Houlahan said that code should clearly delineate what’s permissible and what isn’t.
“Well, as an example, we are not supposed to use our military against our own citizens. Full stop. This is why the Uniform Code of Miliary Justice exists,” Houlahan said.
She noted that there are ways for service members to appeal orders they are concerned about.
“You have an obligation to know and respect your chain of command. You do have, however, a chain of command that you can go through where you can elevate those requests if you believe them not to be either lawful or appropriate, and that’s what I’m encouraging, and my colleagues are encouraging people to do,” Houlahan said.
The Department of War
did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report
