Executive Summary
- The FBI is seeking to interview six Democratic lawmakers after President Trump accused them of sedition.
- The investigation stems from a video where the lawmakers told service members they can refuse illegal orders.
- Affected members include Reps. Deluzio and Houlahan (PA) and Sens. Kelly (AZ) and Slotkin (MI).
- Rep. Deluzio accused the administration of using the FBI to intimidate Congress members.
- The Pentagon has launched a separate misconduct probe into Senator Mark Kelly.
Federal authorities have launched an inquiry involving six Democratic members of Congress, seeking to interview the lawmakers after President Donald Trump accused them of sedition. The probe follows the release of a video on November 18 in which the legislators, all veterans of the armed forces or intelligence community, advised military service members that they possess the right to refuse illegal orders.
According to statements from the affected lawmakers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested interviews to investigate potential wrongdoing. President Trump publicly responded to the video by characterizing the lawmakers’ actions as sedition, a crime he noted is “punishable by death.” Among those targeted are Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, both of whom confirmed the federal outreach.
Representative Deluzio, a U.S. Navy veteran, issued a statement on social media characterizing the investigation as political maneuvering. Deluzio accused President Trump of utilizing the FBI “as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress,” asserting that such actions would not deter them from their constitutional duties. Representative Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, shared an identical statement regarding the inquiry.
The scope of the federal focus extends beyond the Pennsylvania representatives. The group also includes Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Representative Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. Parallel to the FBI activity, the Pentagon has announced a separate investigation into alleged misconduct by Senator Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, which could potentially lead to a recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings.
A Justice Department official, speaking to Reuters, clarified that the FBI interviews are intended to determine “if there’s any wrongdoing, and then go from there.” The lawmakers’ video did not specify which potential orders might be considered unlawful, though Democratic members have previously raised concerns regarding the legality of President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and other executive military actions.
Investigative Outlook
This investigation represents a significant intersection of military law, legislative speech, and executive power. The probe will likely focus on whether the lawmakers’ advice to service members constitutes incitement or sedition under federal statutes, particularly the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provisions regarding mutiny and sedition. The outcome could set a precedent regarding the extent to which elected officials with military backgrounds can advise active-duty personnel on the legality of orders without crossing into criminal conduct. It is important to note that all individuals named in this inquiry are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
