Trump’s Threats Against Democratic Congress Members Cross a Dangerous Line
President Trump tweeted that six Democrats are guilty of sedition for reminding troops they can disobey unlawful orders. He implied they should face death.
His first post: “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP.”
Then: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
These words are obscene, unhinged, and dangerous. They will lead to increased threats of political violence.
The murders and attempted murders of the Hortmans and Hoffmans in Minnesota. The attempts on Trump’s own life. The murder of Charlie Kirk. Nancy Pelosi’s husband brutally beaten in their home with a hammer. The increase in political violence should be a warning to everyone in leadership to tone down the rhetoric.
President Trump does the opposite. He puts American heroes who’ve already risked their lives defending the Constitution in harm’s way.
This comes from a President who attempted a coup on January 6, 2021, to overturn a legitimate election. He pardoned people who engaged in sedition on his behalf—many of whom have gone on to commit other heinous crimes. He uses his Justice Department to punish political enemies.
Today’s tweets go even further down the road to authoritarianism.
He either doesn’t understand the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Constitution, or worse—he doesn’t care what they say.
When a service member is given an illegal order, they have a duty to reject it.
U.S. service members take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the U.S. Manual for Courts-Martial, service members must obey lawful orders and disobey unlawful orders.
The First Amendment prohibits this behavior. The government can’t chill speech just because it doesn’t like what’s being said.
Instead of threatening your critics, Mr. Trump, follow the Constitution. Make sure your administration isn’t giving illegal orders.
Nobody told the troops to disobey the chain of command. These Democrats simply reminded them of their duties. These are people who served honorably. They know better than your inflated ego.
His threats today will incite more violence. Hasn’t his ego already caused enough harm to our nation and our rule of law?
Where is the condemnation from Republicans? Their silence is acquiescence to his bullying. It’s dangerous. It must stop now.
Violence—regardless of a person’s opinions or beliefs—is never acceptable. Any member of Congress who doesn’t unequivocally condemn Trump’s tweets and demand he stop must be voted out.