In the morning tirade, President Donald Trump charged six Democratic members of Congress with sedition, including Pennsylvania Representatives Chrissy Houlahan AND Chris Deluzioafter they used a video to call on members of the military and intelligence community to “refuse to issue illegal orders.”
An hour after the above post, Trump posted 16 other posts, including two below.
Houlahan, who represents the 6th Congressional District, and Deluzio, who represents the 17th Congressional District, both served in the Navy. They participated in A video posted on Facebookk on Tuesday with Sense. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) i Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) i Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.) i Maggie Goodlander (D.N.H.), who insisted that members of the military and intelligence community “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin, former CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraqstated that “no one has to obey orders that violate the law”, and Houlahan, Air Force veteranshe finished the sentence by saying “or our constitution.”
The references of all six are noteworthy. There is a crow former Army soldier and Bronze Star recipientwhile Goodlander served as an intelligence officer in the United States Naval Reserve for over a decade. Deluzio is there veteran of the Iraq war whose military service included three deployments, while Kelly was a Navy pilot who flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm before he became a NASA astronaut.
The six Democratic leaders, who took turns finishing their sentences during the 90-second video, said that “your vigilance is crucial, and know that we have your back. Because now more than ever, the American people need you. We need you to stand up for our rights. Our Constitution. We need you to stand up for our rights. Our Constitution and who we are as Americans. Don’t give up.”
In response to the President’s entries MEPs issued a joint statement: :
“We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and we took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath is lifelong and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation or incitement to violence will deter us from this sacred duty.”
“What is most telling is that the President believes that if we re-enact the law, we could face the death penalty. Our soldiers should know that we support them as they fulfill their oath under the Constitution and their obligation to follow only lawful orders. This is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.”
“But this isn’t about any of us. This isn’t about politics. It’s about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.”
“In moments like these, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.”
Deluzio also released a video statement in which he said: “Today, Donald Trump called for my death, called for the arrest and death of me and several of my colleagues, all who either wore uniforms or served in the intelligence services.
He added that “the basic principle in our country is compliance with lawful orders. Above all, the most important thing is loyalty to the constitution.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapirowho has never shied away from Trump, condemned the president’s words, saying: “Not only has the president failed in his responsibilities to lead this country, but he is once again actively encouraging political violence, increasing the real risk of threats to our elected leaders and deepening the divisions in our country.”
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman he was also critical of Trump, arguing that members of Congress should never be threatened with harm.
At the time of publication, a junior from Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick he did not make a public statement.
This isn’t the first time Democrats who served in the armed forces have come under fire from a Republican.
Back in October Rep. Scott Perry (R-10) – cried Democrats in Congress who previously served in the United States militarysaying that they “hate the military” and that entering the military is “just a credential they get when they want to run for office” – during an interview on The Chris Stigall Show.
Other Pennsylvania Democratic representatives also spoke out in response to these posts.
Rep. Summer Lee (D-12) stated, “Political violence is increasing and the president is calling for the deaths of members of Congress. This is the same person who has already incited a violent insurrection at the Capitol due to his rhetoric and lies. We cannot accept or normalize this.”
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-05) said: “The President is calling for the execution of his political opponents who have honorably served our country in Congress and our armed forces. His words have consequences. Political violence is always unacceptable. Surely our Republican colleagues can agree to condemn the President’s calls for violence.”
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-02) reiterated that no one condones political violence, “let alone the president. Every elected leader, regardless of party, must condemn these threats and oppose political violence.”
announcer Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended Trump, saying Democrats were “wildly inappropriate” in suggesting that military officials should disobey Trump’s unlawful orders. According to Johnson, Trump was simply “defining the crime of sedition.”
“It’s a factual statement,” Johnson said, adding that lawyers would have to “analyze” the language of the criminal offense.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) condemned Trump’s comments, saying the president was “lighting a match in a country soaked in political gasoline.”
“Every senator, every representative, every American, regardless of party, should condemn this immediately and unreservedly,” he said. “Because if we don’t draw a line here, there won’t be any line left to draw.”
