Lawmakers Say They Will Not Cooperate With Inquiry Into Illegal Orders Video
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Three Democratic lawmakers—Senator Elissa Slotkin and Representatives Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan—refused to participate in the Justice Department’s investigation into a video urging military members to resist illegal orders.
- The video, featuring six lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds, was condemned by President Trump as sedition and “punishable by death,” though no specific crime has been identified by the administration.
- The lawmakers argue their statements reflect fundamental military law principles and are protected free speech, viewing the investigation as an intimidation tactic against critics of the president’s defense policies.
- Representative Houlahan criticized the federal government’s actions as an abuse of power aimed at silencing veterans and elected officials speaking out on constitutional grounds.
