Article Summary –
Military veterans and elected officials are rallying in support of Democratic U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan after former President Donald Trump accused them and others of sedition for urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders, leading to increased threats against them. Trump has repeatedly called for the arrest and trial of these lawmakers, whom he labels as traitors, resulting in bomb threats and escalating political tensions. The situation coincides with criticism and legal challenges against Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Democratic-led cities, with some court rulings deeming the deployments illegal.
Military veterans and elected officials nationwide back Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan after President Donald Trump accused them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH.”
Deluzio and Houlahan, along with U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, and Maggie Goodlander, appeared in a video urging military and intelligence members to uphold the Constitution and reject illegal orders. All lawmakers in the video have military or intelligence backgrounds.
“We know you are under stress,” the lawmakers state. “Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our military against citizens. You swore an oath to defend the Constitution. Threats to it are from within. You must refuse illegal orders.”
Since Slotkin’s video, Trump called for their arrest. “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR,” Trump wrote, demanding trials for them.
Following his posts, lawmakers, including Houlahan and Deluzio, received bomb threats. Slotkin, Crow, and Goodlander reported similar threats. Kelly noted increased death threats.
Deluzio and Houlahan shared videos featuring supportive calls, including from veterans.
On the day of Trump’s threats, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement condemning Trump’s actions, warning of political violence.
The lawmakers, though not citing specific illegal orders, released the video amid criticism of Trump’s National Guard deployment to Democratic-led cities. An NPR-Ipsos poll shows public opposition to National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., and Memphis.
Several lawsuits challenge the legality of these deployments. Federal courts have ruled against the deployment in Washington and Oregon.
Trump continues to demand their imprisonment. The FBI investigates the lawmakers, which Houlahan claims is intimidation by Trump.
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