READING, Pa. – Some Democratic lawmakers are under investigation by the Trump administration after appearing in a video late last year, urging members of the military to resist “illegal orders.”
Four House members and two senators, all who previously served in the military or at intelligence agencies, are under the microscope of the justice department.
President Trump responded saying the lawmakers who participated in the video engaged in seditious behavior.
Among them is U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), who says she was contacted by federal prosecutors.
A statement from Houlahan stated:
“The six of us are being targeted not because we said something untrue, but because we said something President Trump and Secretary Hegseth didn’t want anyone to hear. This investigation is ridiculous on any day but especially so on a day the President is considering launching airstrikes against Iran in retaliation for their crack down on free speech. We will not be silenced.”
Democratic Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, as well as Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. also confirmed that they have been contacted by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also went after Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former Navy pilot.
“He is censuring me because I’ve raised concerns about his actions and military operations. Well, that’s my job. I have every right to say these things as an American, as a retired service member, and as a US senator, and especially as a member of the Armed Services Committee, whose duty it is to provide oversight over the Department of Defense,” Kelly stated.
Hegseth has censured Kelly’s retirement pay, saying on social media:
“‘Captain’” Kelly knows exactly what he did and that he will be held to account.”
Kelly has filed a lawsuit in response, calling this an attack on the First Amendment.
It is unclear at this time what crime the justice department is investigating in relation to the lawmakers.