What's happened
Several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, have been contacted by federal prosecutors over a video urging military resistance to illegal orders. The investigation follows President Trump's labeling of the video as seditious, with unclear legal violations. The lawmakers remain defiant amid ongoing inquiries.
What's behind the headline?
The investigation into the lawmakers highlights the escalating tension between political dissent and federal authority. The targeting of military veterans and active service members for expressing views on lawful resistance signals a potential shift in how speech related to military conduct is treated legally. The use of the term 'seditious' by Trump and the subsequent inquiries suggest an attempt to criminalize political speech that challenges executive narratives. This could set a dangerous precedent, blurring the line between lawful political expression and criminal activity. The fact that the prosecutors are seeking interviews indicates a serious effort to scrutinize protected speech, which may have chilling effects on political discourse. The broader implications include increased government scrutiny of dissent and the potential for politicized investigations to undermine civil liberties, especially for military and security personnel.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that lawmakers received inquiries from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office, following President Trump's accusations of sedition. The Independent emphasizes the political context, quoting Senator Slotkin's criticism of the administration's tactics. AP News highlights the escalation, noting Slotkin's prior disclosure and the investigation's significance. All sources agree that the investigation is part of a broader pattern of political retaliation, but differ in their emphasis—NYT focusing on legal ambiguity, The Independent on political implications, and AP on procedural escalation. This divergence underscores the complex intersection of law, politics, and military speech in this case.
How we got here
The controversy stems from a November video in which lawmakers with military backgrounds advised troops to follow lawful commands and resist illegal orders. President Trump and his allies have called the video seditious, claiming it could be punishable by death. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's office have since contacted the lawmakers, escalating the investigation. The video was part of broader tensions over military and political loyalty following Trump's claims of election fraud and efforts to challenge the 2024 election results.
Go deeper
- What laws might the lawmakers have violated?
- How are the lawmakers responding to the investigation?
- What are the potential legal consequences for them?
More on these topics
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Elissa Blair Slotkin is an American politician and former CIA analyst and the United States Representative for Michigan's 8th Congressional District.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Mark Edward Kelly is an American astronaut, engineer, and former U.S. Navy captain. He is the author of multiple books as well as an aerospace executive and consultant, and is a candidate in the 2020 United States Senate election in Arizona.
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Christina Marie Houlahan is an American politician, engineer, and former United States Air Force officer. A member of the Democratic Party, she is serving as the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district since 2019.
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Jason Crow is an American attorney, veteran, and politician who is a member of the United States House of Representatives for Colorado's 6th congressional district.