Grand Jury Refuses DOJ’s Attempt to Indict Democratic Lawmakers over Controversial Video

A grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined to approve the Justice Department’s attempts to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who urged U.S. military members to disobey orders they deemed “illegal” in an online video. The DOJ launched an investigation into the video where six lawmakers, all with past military or intelligence roles, encouraged troops and intelligence professionals to refuse unlawful commands from federal authorities.

The lawmakers named in the video were Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, along with Representatives Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Jason Crow of Colorado.

“This administration is setting our military and intelligence community professionals against civilians,” the lawmakers stated in the video, “Just like us, you took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. The threats to our Constitution are not only from foreign sources but from within our own nation. Our legal framework is clear: refuse illegal orders.”

Although the grand jury denied charges against the lawmakers, it remains unclear whether prosecutors aimed to indict all six or the specific charges in question. The possibility of prosecutors attempting another indictment persists.

Former President Donald Trump branded the lawmakers as “traitors” and accused them of engaging in “high-level sedition,” suggesting initially that execution was appropriate before retracting his statement. Following this, Slotkin, a former CIA and Defense Department worker, faced a bomb threat shortly after Trump’s controversial remarks.

Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, criticized the potential charges as a “shocking abuse of power by Donald Trump.” On social media, he expressed, “The most patriotic action is to stand firm against such intimidation.” In light of these events, the Pentagon initiated an investigation into Kelly, referencing a federal statute allowing retired service members to be recalled for potential court-martial.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reprimanded Kelly and endeavored to demote him from his retired captain rank due to his role in the video, a move Kelly has contested in court as unconstitutional retaliation. During recent hearings, judges appeared skeptical of some arguments supporting Hegseth’s actions.