Trump Accuses Democratic Lawmakers of Seditious Behavior, Sparks Outrage
President Trump has sparked widespread outrage after accusing Democratic lawmakers of seditious behavior, suggesting that their actions could be punishable by death. The controversy began when six Democratic lawmakers, all of whom have served in the military or as intelligence officers, released a joint video urging military and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.” The lawmakers, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Michigan Sen. Alyssa Slotkin, and Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, did not specify which orders they were referring to, but stated that the Trump administration was “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professional against American citizens.”
The video, which was posted on Tuesday, quickly drew criticism from Republicans, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who characterized it as “Stage 4 [Trump Derangement Syndrome].” However, Trump saw the video as more than partisan speech, and responded with a series of social media posts, including one that stated “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”
What Constitutes Seditious Behavior?
Under federal law, seditious conspiracy is a crime that involves two or more individuals conspiring to “overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States” or to “prevent, hinder or delay the execution of any law of the United States” by force. A seditious conspiracy charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. However, federal courts and legal scholars have long emphasized that seditious conspiracy charges apply only to coordinated efforts to use force against the government, rather than political dissent.
The last time federal prosecutors pursued seditious conspiracy charges was in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges for plotting to prevent by force the transfer of presidential power to Joe Biden. Among the convicted individuals was former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, whose 22-year sentence was the stiffest of any of the January 6 rioters. Trump pardoned him earlier this year.
Reaction to Trump’s Comments
Trump’s comments have been widely condemned by Democratic leaders, who have characterized them as “disgusting and dangerous death threats against members of Congress.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated that Trump’s comments were “a threat to the safety and security of members of Congress and their families.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom reacted to the posts by saying Trump “is sick in the head” for calling for the death of Democratic lawmakers.
The six Democratic lawmakers who released the video have also responded to Trump’s comments, stating that “what’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law.” They added that “our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders.”
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