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A grand jury in the nation’s capital rejected the ruling on Tuesday Ministry of JusticeAn attempt was made to prosecute a group of Democratic lawmakers who encouraged members of the U.S. military to ignore “illegal” orders in a video posted online.
The U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the video, in which six Democratic lawmakers called on members of the military and intelligence community to disobey the federal government’s illegal orders. These congressmen have served in the military or intelligence agencies.
Lawmakers featured in the video include Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, as well as Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houulahan of Pennsylvania, Reps. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Jason Crow of Colorado.
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against the citizens of the United States,” the lawmakers said in the video. “Like us, you are all sworn to protect and defend this Constitution. Now, threats to our Constitution come not only from abroad, but from here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse unlawful orders. You must refuse unlawful orders. No one must enforce an order that violates the law or our Constitution.”
Democratic senator says she’s under federal investigation over ‘illegal order’ video
A grand jury in the nation’s capital on Tuesday rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who encouraged members of the U.S. military to ignore “unlawful” orders. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The grand jury declined to sign off on the indictment against the lawmakers, the Associated Press reported. It’s unclear whether prosecutors have indicted all six lawmakers or what charges they are seeking to bring.
Prosecutors may still try to indict Democrats.
president Donald Trump Accusing lawmakers of being “traitors” who “incited rebellion at the highest levels” and “should be in jail.” He even suggested their execution in the video, although he later tried to walk back that comment.
Slotkin, who worked for the CIA and Defense Department, was the target of a bomb threat days after the video and subsequent statements by Trump suggesting executing Democrats.
President Donald Trump accused lawmakers of being “traitors” engaging in “incitement of the highest order.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Tonight we can win a point for the Constitution, our free speech and the rule of law,” Slotkin said in a statement Tuesday. “But today is not only an embarrassing day for the government, it is a sad day for our country.”
Kelly, a former Navy pilot, called the attempt to press charges “an outrageous abuse of power by Donald Trump and his lackeys.”
“Donald Trump wants every American to be afraid to speak out against him,” Kelly said on X. “The most patriotic thing any of us can do is not back down.”
In November, the Pentagon launched an investigation into Kelly, noting that a federal law allows veterans to be recalled to active duty on order from the secretary of state and subject to possible court-martial or other punishment.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth Condemn Kelly and sought to retroactively demote Kelly from the rank of retired captain for his involvement in the video, which confirmed that refusing illegal orders is a standard part of military etiquette.
Prosecutors could still try again to indict Democrats. (Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
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“As a retired Navy captain still collecting a military pension, Capt. Kelly knows he remains accountable to military justice,” Hegseth wrote in a Jan. 5 X post.
Kelly responded by suing Hegseth to block the lawsuits, which he called an unconstitutional act of retaliation.
At last week’s hearing, the judge seems skeptical A government lawyer made a key argument in defending Hegseth’s move last month to denounce the Arizona senator.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
