Trump suggests death penalty for Democratic lawmakers over military order video

US President Donald Trump drew intense backlash on 21 November, 2025, after suggesting the death penalty for six Democratic lawmakers who had appeared in a video urging military personnel to reject illegal orders.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump labelled the lawmakers "traitors" and accused them of "seditious behaviour". He reposted a user message calling to "hang them", and claimed that the punishment for such actions “in times gone by” would have been death.

The lawmakers involved, all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds, appeared in a video published on 19 November warning that Trump was “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens”.

They stated, “You can refuse illegal orders,” without specifying any particular commands. However, the message was widely interpreted as referring to past actions taken by Trump, including the deployment of the National Guard to cities during unrest and authorised strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels overseas that left over 80 people dead.

Among the lawmakers were Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, and Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA officer who served in Iraq.

Reacting to their comments, Trump wrote: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” Later, he escalated the message with: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

The Democratic Party responded swiftly, calling the comments “absolutely vile”. Its official X account reposted Trump’s statement with a condemnation, while the targeted lawmakers issued a joint statement affirming their loyalty to the Constitution.

“We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country,” they said. “That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation.”

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s rhetoric in a Senate floor speech. “When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen,” he said. “He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.”

However, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson criticised the lawmakers’ original video as “wildly inappropriate” and “very dangerous”, arguing that it undermines trust in the military’s chain of command.

The White House and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have also expressed concern over the video’s message, with officials warning it could erode civil-military relations.

President Trump has previously used similar language.

In 2023, he said former top military officer General Mark Milley would have faced death “in times gone by” after revelations that Milley had secretly contacted his Chinese counterpart following the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot.

The current controversy arises at a critical time for Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025 amid mounting political and legal pressure. Recent Democratic victories in key off-year elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia have signalled growing challenges ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Trump has also faced renewed scrutiny over past connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, contributing to tensions within the Republican Party.

Despite the backlash, Trump has remained defiant, refusing to walk back his comments and continuing to portray critics as disloyal to the country.

While no formal investigations have been launched into either the video or Trump’s statements, legal scholars warn that repeated calls for punitive action against political opponents could pose risks to democratic norms and public safety.