Trump’s threats amount to calls for ‘execution of elected officials’, says Chuck Schumer – US politics live

A political firestorm erupted after six Democratic lawmakers released a video urging active-duty service members to reject “illegal” orders — a message that instantly raised alarms for Americans who value a clear chain of command and a military that stays far from political manipulation. The lawmakers — Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow — opened their message with a reminder that “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution.” They added that “the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” insisting that “you can refuse illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse illegal orders.”

Their video landed in the middle of an already-charged moment, and for many, the move crossed a long-respected line. Civilian leaders have always debated policy, but telling enlisted troops to evaluate — and potentially reject — directives from their commanders introduces a level of instability that no military in the world can function under. Even in moments of heated disagreement, America’s strength has relied on a disciplined armed force that follows lawful orders through a structured hierarchy, not political broadcasts from Capitol Hill. That is exactly why the video raised concerns about lawmakers using their uniforms and past service as a political instrument, something that traditionally sparks bipartisan unease.

President Trump responded directly on Truth Social with a series of posts that escalated the public debate. He wrote that the group had engaged in “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” adding that “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.” In a follow-up post he warned, “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT.” He later added a third post stating, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” and even reposted a statement declaring, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!” His language immediately prompted Democratic leaders to accuse him of calling for the execution of elected officials.

Senator Chuck Schumer posted on X that, “Let’s be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials.” He went on to insist, “This is an outright THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this immediately and without qualification.” Democratic House leaders issued a joint statement saying, “Political violence has no place in America,” praising the participating lawmakers for serving “with tremendous patriotism and distinction,” and accusing Trump of issuing “disgusting and dangerous death threats.”

But even as Democrats sought to portray their video as a sober reminder of constitutional limits, the implications of their message are not so easily dismissed. Telling active-duty troops to independently judge the legitimacy of orders — outside the established legal and military review processes already in place — invites uncertainty in situations where clarity can be a matter of national security. This is why Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s core criticism, stating that the Democrats had engaged in “sedition” and calling the video “wildly inappropriate,” adding, “It is very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling troops to disobey orders, I think that’s unprecedented in American history.”

Beyond the headlines, the deeper issue is how quickly political leaders are willing to drag the U.S. military into partisan fights. America depends on a disciplined force that follows lawful commands, not political cues. Calls to resist “illegal orders” may sound principled, but they take on a very different meaning when delivered by sitting politicians targeting a commander in chief they oppose. At a time when trust in national institutions is already strained and global threats are rising, using the military as a stage for political messaging is a risk the country cannot afford. Amid all the noise, the real question facing the nation is whether its leaders still understand the boundaries that keep the armed forces strong, united, and beyond the reach of political theatrics.