‘Seditious Behaviour from traitors, lock them up’: Donald Trump hits out at Democrats for telling military to ‘refuse illegal orders’

“ It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET,” Trump said in another post.

The US President also reposted several Truth Social posts demanding the same.

Democratic lawmakers post video

Trump’s outburst came in response to a video posted on X by Democratic lawmakers Senator Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Chris Deluzio and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who served in either the military or the intelligence community in the past, urging them to “refuse illegal orders.”

“Threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” they said.

“Our laws are clear,” said Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a Navy veteran and former astronaut. “You can refuse illegal orders.”

“You must refuse illegal orders,” Representative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, who also served in the Navy, added.

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now,” they said. “This administration is pitting our uniform military and intelligence community against American citizens.”

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.

The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.

Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r

— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025

Republican response

The video was criticised by Republicans, who accused the Democrats of calling for insurrection.

“Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection,” Stephen Miller, President Trump’s deputy chief of staff, said in a post on social media.

Senator Eric Schmitt, Republican of Missouri, said in a social media post that the Democratic lawmakers were “mad the American people chose Trump” and were “calling on the Military and Intelligence Community to intervene.”

The post by the Democrats came at a time when there is growing concern about Trump’s use of the military, both on US soil and abroad. Trump has faced heavy criticism over the deployment of the National Guard in several US cities.

Trump’s crackdown on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, using US military strikes, has also come under international scrutiny, with many calling such acts a violation of international laws.