On November 22, 2025, several congressional Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, released a video urging members of the military to refuse unlawful orders that may be issued by President Trump. This initiative has sparked significant backlash, with Trump accusing the lawmakers of sedition and suggesting severe consequences for their actions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Democrats were undermining the chain of command by encouraging military personnel to defy lawful orders.

The video, which has garnered over 1.6 million views, features lawmakers invoking their military service to warn that threats to the Constitution are emerging from within the government. They emphasize the importance of disobeying illegal orders, although the video does not specify any particular orders from Trump that would be deemed unlawful. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) outlines the legal framework for military conduct, stating that disobeying lawful orders can result in severe penalties, including death in wartime.

The lawmakers involved represent various branches of the military and have introduced legislative measures aimed at limiting President Trump’s authority to deploy National Guard troops domestically or to initiate military actions without congressional approval. For instance, Slotkin has introduced the "No Troops in Our Streets Act," which would empower Congress to block National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, while Representative Jason Crow has proposed a War Powers Continuing Resolution to prevent unauthorized military strikes.

Critics have noted that the Democrats' video appears vague and lacks concrete examples of illegal orders, raising questions about its effectiveness and intent. The timing of the video coincides with the Democrats securing a significant loan for their operations ahead of the midterm elections, suggesting a strategic move to influence public perception. Additionally, the Democrats' current stance has drawn scrutiny due to perceived inconsistencies with their previous silence on military actions taken during the Obama administration, such as drone strikes that resulted in civilian casualties.

The broader context includes ongoing debates about the military's role in domestic issues, such as immigration enforcement, and the implications of military engagement in foreign conflicts. The situation remains dynamic, with potential legal ramifications for the lawmakers involved in the video, as well as broader implications for the relationship between military orders and constitutional governance.