(Washington) President Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of sedition Thursday morning in an angry outburst on social media, saying their behavior was “punishable by the death penalty.”
Their crime? Having recorded a video reminding soldiers that they are not required to obey illegal orders.
“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” “, Trump wrote in a message. He relayed another message, written by another person, which read: “HANG THEM. GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD HAVE DONE IT! »
The video that angered the president had been posted online two days earlier by six Democratic lawmakers, all of whom served in the military or intelligence services.
One of them is Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who served in the Navy and is a former astronaut. “Our laws are clear,” he says in the video. “You can refuse illegal orders. »
Also attending is Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, who also served in the Navy. “You must refuse illegal orders,” he says in the video.
The message from Democratic lawmakers was not about a specific order or scenario, but Trump administration officials said the lawmakers were encouraging the military to rebel against its commander in chief. As part of their standard training, soldiers are taught to refuse to carry out illegal orders.
Politicization of the armed forces
At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “no” when asked if the president wanted to execute members of Congress.
PHOTO EVELYN HOCKSTEIN, REUTERS
Karoline Leavitt
She added: “If it were Republican members of Congress encouraging the military and members of the United States government to disobey orders from the president and the chain of command, this whole room would be in turmoil. But the opposite is happening, and I think that speaks volumes. »
The video was organized by Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst who served in Iraq.
Trump has made his power felt over the military during his second term, and his attempts to politicize the armed forces have become more overt.
He gave an overtly political speech to military leaders and sent troops to cities across the country, which undoubtedly contributed to Democrats’ decision to make their video.
And Mme Slotkin told the New York Times that she had heard from active-duty troops expressing concern about the legality of strikes targeting people accused of drug trafficking by the Trump administration.
In a series of messages posted Thursday about the video, Mr. Trump accused Ms.me Slotkin and his fellow Democrats betrayal. One of his messages had his usual signature, which generally indicates that he is indeed the author, and not an assistant. It read: “This is really serious and dangerous for our country. Their comments cannot be tolerated. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR OF TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM ??? President DJT. »
Trump’s posts appeared at a time when he faces challenges from all sides. His administration is in turmoil due to the Jeffrey Epstein affair; he is grappling with a revolt by some of the most loyal members of his party and part of his political base; finally, his results in the polls have declined considerably.
A Republican leader in disagreement
His publications immediately sparked an outcry in Washington.
The six Democrats who produced the video released a joint statement that read, in part: “Most telling is that the President considers our mere laying down of the law to be punishable by death. Our military must know that we support them in fulfilling their oath to the Constitution and their obligation to follow only lawful orders. »
It is not only the right thing to do, it is also our duty.
Extract from the declaration of the six elected Democrats
Asked about the president’s message that Democratic lawmakers had committed a crime punishable by death, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “I disagree with that.” »
Mr. Thune also criticized the Democrats who made the video. “It is obvious that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. (But) what they did was reckless, provocative and unnecessary. »
Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the leader of the Senate Democrats, condemned the president’s threats from the Senate podium and called on members of Congress on both sides of the chamber to do the same.
PHOTO NATHAN HOWARD, THE NEW YORK TIMES
Chuck Schumer
Let’s be clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is a direct threat, and it is extremely serious.
Chuck Schumer, leader of the Senate Democrats
He added: “Every time Donald Trump posts these kinds of messages, he increases the risk of political violence. None of us should tolerate this type of behavior. »
Contradiction?
Trump’s messages about imprisonment and death by hanging were difficult to reconcile with his recent calls to calm political discourse in this country. After the September murder of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and Trump ally, Trump called in a speech in the Oval Office “for all Americans to commit to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: freedom of speech, citizenship, the rule of law, patriotic dedication, and love of God.”
Trump said at the time that it was “high time for all Americans and the media to wake up to the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequences of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”
This spirit of freedom of expression and the rule of law was difficult to detect in the president’s messages and those he decided to relay on Tuesday. He shared one that read: “Indict them all. »
“Traitors,” said another.
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, whose home was burned during Passover this year, criticized the president on social media.
“He is once again actively encouraging political violence, thereby increasing the real risk of danger to our elected leaders and deepening the divisions in our country,” Shapiro wrote. “The sycophants and enablers surrounding the president are quick to condemn this kind of speech when it serves their political interests, but in times like this, they remain silent. »
The Democrats’ video had already sparked a lot of outrage among conservatives before the president spoke out. White House policy advisor Stephen Miller shared the video the day it was posted, writing: “Democratic lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection. »
This article was originally published in the New York Times.
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