Democratic Lawmakers Urge Military to Disobey Potentially Illegal Orders

A group of six Democratic lawmakers, all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds, has publicly urged service members and intelligence officials to disobey any illegal orders that may be issued by President Donald Trump’s administration. In a video shared on X, Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, expressed concerns about "threats to our Constitution" emanating from within the government. They emphasized that military personnel are not obligated to follow orders that violate the law or the Constitution, stating, “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution.”

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The lawmakers' statements come amid scrutiny of U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which have reportedly resulted in at least 83 fatalities since September. The legality of these strikes has been questioned by military officials and U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom. The Defense Department is relying on a Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion that authorizes strikes against 24 identified cartels and criminal organizations. However, concerns have been raised regarding the identification of targets, as military officials have acknowledged that they do not always know the identities of individuals on board the vessels before engaging.

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The video from the lawmakers did not specify which orders might be deemed illegal, but it highlighted the potential legal ramifications for service members who follow unlawful orders. The principle that following an illegal order is not a valid defense is rooted in historical precedents, such as the Nuremberg Trials. Additionally, military lawyers have expressed concerns about the legality of the strikes, and there have been reports of a lack of legal oversight in recent operations. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been criticized for dismissing top uniformed lawyers, whom he viewed as impediments to executing orders.

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Republican lawmakers have responded critically to the Democratic video. Senator Marsha Blackburn described it as "inconceivable" for elected officials to encourage military personnel to defy lawful orders. Senator Lindsey Graham demanded that the Democratic lawmakers provide specific examples of orders they consider unlawful, asserting that they owe clarity to the military personnel involved.

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The Trump administration has faced multiple legal challenges regarding the use of troops within the U.S. and the military's role in domestic operations. Lawmakers have expressed frustration over the lack of briefings from intelligence officials about the military's actions, despite numerous requests for information. The situation continues to evolve as legal and ethical questions surrounding military operations and the potential for illegal orders remain at the forefront of congressional discussions.

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• “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution,” — Senator Elissa Slotkin

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• “It is inconceivable that you would have elected officials that are saying to uniformed members of the military who have taken an oath that they would defy the orders that they have been given to execute their mission.” — Senator Marsha Blackburn

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• “Lindsey Graham told Fox on Tuesday that “the senators and congressmen who made a video suggesting our men and women in the military do not have to follow unlawful orders have yet to show us an example.” — Senator Lindsey Graham

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