Four more Democratic lawmakers are revealing they face federal scrutiny after a social media video urged military members to refuse “illegal orders,” sparking a firestorm of online debate and allegations of political intimidation.
Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan announced Wednesday that Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has requested interviews with them or their private counsel, according to NBC News.
The inquiry represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s scrutiny of the group, following a similar disclosure by Sen. Elissa Slotkin on Wednesday, per CBS News.
The investigation centers on a video message released in November where the lawmakers told service members, “You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution,” according to CBS News.
On social media platforms like X and Truth Social in November, President Donald Trump characterized the lawmakers’ actions as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR” and suggested the group should face trial for actions “punishable by death,” The Guardian reported.
Slotkin posted a video response to the investigation on YouTube on Wednesday, stating threats against her went “through the roof,” and that for Trump, “Truth doesn’t matter. Facts don’t matter. And anyone who disagrees with him is an enemy.”
Meanwhile, the other lawmakers involved have used their own platforms to remain defiant.
Goodlander posted on X that any “threats will not deter, distract, intimidate, or silence me.” Houlahan also took to social media to label the probe “ridiculous,” arguing that the six Democrats are being targeted “because we said something President Trump and Secretary Hegseth didn’t want anyone to hear.”
The Department of Justice inquiry follows administrative proceedings initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth against Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, another Democrat featured in the video, per PBS. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, faces a potential reduction in his retirement rank and pay.
Pirro’s office has declined to confirm or deny the existence of the investigation. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly defended the lawmakers, stating that they did not violate the law and that the party stands “firmly behind them,” according to 6abc.
