In a video released on Tuesday, a group of Democratic veterans and former intelligence officers urged service members to stand up to the Trump administration if they receive “illegal orders.”
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” the group, which included Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), said.
“Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders,” they said, without specifying which directives. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to several Democrat-led cities under the pretense of combating crime. Earlier this year, Trump also sent active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to largely peaceful protests about Trump’s immigration policies. In recent months, the Pentagon has also ordered a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in waters in the Caribbean and Pacific.
