Deputy Attorney General Condemns Democrats’ Video Urging Military to Defy Orders

Deputy Attorney General Condemns Democrats’ Video Urging Military to Defy Orders

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed strong disapproval after a group of Democratic lawmakers released a video encouraging military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The video, which features individuals with military and intelligence backgrounds, promotes the message that service members have a duty to defy unlawful commands.

During an appearance on “Hannity” on Wednesday night, Blanche labeled the video as “abhorrent conduct.” He voiced concern about the implications of such a message being directed at the military.

Blanche commented, “I felt like I was watching a propaganda video by one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies.” He further criticized the lawmakers, questioning their motives and the potential consequences of their statements. He said, “When you see what these men and women were saying about this administration, about this president… what is the reason for saying what they said except to encourage members of our military and intelligence community to defy a direct command from their superior?”

Video Features Prominent Democratic Lawmakers

The video titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship” features six Democratic lawmakers who invoke their military backgrounds while warning that threats to the Constitution are originating from within the country. Lawmakers appearing in the video include Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan, Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona, Representative Chris Deluzio from Pennsylvania, Representative Maggie Goodlander from New Hampshire, Representative Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania, and Representative Jason Crow from Colorado.

Throughout the video, several lawmakers assert a powerful message: “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” This statement, while emphasizing accountability, raised concerns among critics who interpreted it as undermining military discipline.

Legislative Context and Concerns

Slotkin and her colleagues have been advocating for legislation aimed at restricting President Trump’s authority to deploy National Guard troops domestically or take military action against narcotics-related terror threats without congressional approval. However, this legislative context was absent in the video, leading to further criticism.

Accountability and Transparency

Blanche insisted that the actions of the Trump administration have not been illegal and called for accountability from the Democratic lawmakers involved in the video. He stated, “I think that those congressmen should be required to answer questions about why they did what they did. The American people deserve that, and so does President Trump.”

Numerous conservative commentators, including Libs of TikTok, Representative Eric Schmitt from Missouri, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Representative Eli Crane from Arizona, who is also a former U.S. Navy SEAL, voiced their criticism of the video.

Criticism from Conservative Voices

Crane described the video as “extremely foolish and cowardly” during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle.” He challenged the Democrats to provide specific instances of unlawful orders issued by the Trump administration, implying that their claims lacked substance.

Responses from the Lawmakers Involved

When pressed for comment, Houlahan defended the video, stating that some in the administration and media are distorting its message. She emphasized, “Let me be absolutely clear: there is nothing more patriotic, nothing more stabilizing, and nothing more true to the rule of law than reminding our military of their constitutional obligations and reassuring them that, if they are ever given an unlawful order, they do not have to carry it out.”

Houlahan also clarified that the slogan “Don’t Give Up the Ship” is not intended as a call to rebellion but as a historic naval motto representing steadfastness and loyalty to country, which is integral to American civil-military traditions.

Addressing Arguments Around Illegal Orders

In a related statement to “The Ingraham Angle,” Crow expressed that President Trump is placing service members in challenging situations. He noted that the president is mobilizing active-duty troops to police U.S. cities and is considering using military force against domestic threats. Crow reiterated that it is essential for service members to know their rights regarding illegal orders under the law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Regarding specific illegal orders made by the Trump administration, Slotkin’s office referenced an incident where Trump allegedly asked former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper whether he could shoot protesters in the legs, highlighting concerns about the nature of commands being discussed.

Awaiting Comments from Key Figures

The White House, along with Senators Slotkin, Kelly, Deluzio, and Goodlander, did not immediately respond to requests for comments from Fox News Digital.

Fox News’ Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.

The Ongoing Debate Over Military Orders and Civil-Military Relations

The heated exchange surrounding the video encapsulates the ongoing debate over military orders and civil-military relations in the United States. As tensions rise politically, it remains essential for both lawmakers and military professionals to engage in dialogue that fosters respect for the rule of law while ensuring the safety and security of the nation.