Democrats involved in 'illegal orders' video say they won't cooperate with DOJ probe
NBC15 hrs
Lawmakers Refuse DOJ Interviews Over Military Video
Is investigating these lawmakers authoritarian censorship or accountability for undermining the chain of command?
Above: Sen. Elissa Slotkin on March 4, 2025. Image credit: Paul Sancya/Pool/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Slotkin and her colleagues are showing great bravery. By prosecuting sitting lawmakers for warning troops against illegal orders, the Trump administration is crossing into authoritarian territory and making an unprecedented attack on free speech. This political persecution seems designed to silence dissent. This weaponization of the military justice system against lawmakers exercising their constitutional rights cannot be normalized in a democracy.
Republican narrative
These Democratic lawmakers must be subpoenaed and held to account for cynically exploiting their military credentials to undermine the chain of command and encourage insubordination among troops. The video panders to partisan audiences while dangerously suggesting service members should second-guess legitimate commands. This reckless stunt edges toward sedition by weaponizing veterans' status to sabotage lawful military operations.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
The Controversies
Go Deeper
Political split
LEFT
RIGHT
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0