Trump Calls for Jailing Democrats in Military “Sedition” Dispute

Former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated a political conflict over the weekend. He demanded the imprisonment of six Democratic lawmakers involved in a viral video.

The lawmakers’ video called on military officers to refuse any illegal commands. Trump labelled this act “seditious behaviour.” The controversy began on Friday. Trump initially accused the Democrats of “seditious behaviour, punishable by death.”

He followed this on Saturday with a social media post. “THE TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW,” he wrote.

He called their message “SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.” He also stated, “THERE CAN BE NO OTHER INTERPRETATION.”

Democratic officials strongly condemned Trump’s initial “death” remark. They described his comments as “absolutely vile” threats.

The video featured six Democrats with military or intelligence backgrounds. The group included Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander.

They urged troops to “refuse illegal orders,” but did not specify which orders they meant. The message came amid ongoing debates about the use of military force.

This is not the first time Trump has alluded to the death penalty for former officials. In 2023, he suggested former General Mark Milley deserved death for actions taken after the January 6th Capitol riots.