Dems to the Military: “Refuse Unconstitutional Orders”

… But Which Ones, Exactly?

On November 18, six high‑profile Democratic veterans dropped a 90‑second video that detonated across X and Truth Social alike. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D‑MI) and Mark Kelly (D‑AZ), along with Reps. Jason Crow (D‑CO), Chrissy Houlahan (D‑PA), and Chris Deluzio (D‑PA), stared straight into the camera and told every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, and intelligence professional:

“You must refuse illegal orders.” “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.” “We have your back.”

They closed with the old Navy battle cry: “Don’t give up the ship.”

Within 48 hours President Trump fired back on Truth Social, labeling the message “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS” and even suggesting the death penalty might apply. His allies piled on with accusations of “coup talk,” “mutiny prep,” and “undermining the chain of command.”

Here’s the problem: the Democrats never named a single order — past, present, or future — that Trump has given or might give that would actually be unconstitutional.

No mention of mass deportations violating due process.

No mention of invoking the Insurrection Act against protesters.

No mention of using the military to “go after the enemy within.”

Nothing about firing generals, Schedule F, or any other Trump proposal.

Just 90 seconds of ominous music, stern faces, and a blanket declaration that illegal orders are coming … trust us.

The “Manifestly Unlawful” Standard Is Sky‑High

Every service member learns on day one: under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (Articles 90, 91, and 92), orders are presumed lawful. Disobedience is only justified if the order is “manifestly unlawful” — meaning any reasonable person would instantly recognize it as a crime. Think My Lai‑style massacre orders, not policy disagreements.

The bar is deliberately set so high that in the last 75 years there has never been a successful court‑martial defense based on “I thought the order was unconstitutional.” Troops who guess wrong don’t get applause — they get Leavenworth.

So when six veteran lawmakers tell junior enlisted and mid‑grade officers “you must refuse unconstitutional orders,” but refuse to give even one concrete example, they are — intentionally or not — putting those troops in an impossible position.

What They Said vs. What They Didn’t Say

What the Video Claimed	Specific Trump Order Cited?	Reality Check
Troops must refuse “illegal orders”	None	Leaves every private wondering if tomorrow’s border mission is the “illegal” one
Oath is to the Constitution, not a person	None	True, but every president since Washington has been sworn under that same oath
“We have your back”	None	Comforting words … until the court‑martial convenes and the lawmakers are nowhere to be found

Timing Tells the Story

The video dropped eleven days after Trump’s landslide victory and two months before his inauguration. These same lawmakers had spent the campaign warning about “authoritarianism” and “dictatorship.” Now, with voters having spoken, they’re broadcasting to the troops that the incoming commander‑in‑chief might issue criminal orders — without evidence.

That’s not civic education.

That’s preemptive political warfare.

The Civics Gap Makes It Worse

As WecuMedia has documented before, fewer than one in ten service members can name all three branches of government, much less parse the nuances of presidential authority under Article II, the Insurrection Act, or the Posse Comitatus Act.

When trusted veteran lawmakers drop a video like this with zero specifics, it doesn’t clarify the law — it injects confusion and fear into the ranks.

Bottom Line

If Senator Slotkin, Congressman Crow, or any of the others genuinely believe Donald Trump is about to issue manifestly unlawful orders, they owe the American people — and especially the men and women in uniform — the courtesy of saying exactly what those orders are.

Until then, this isn’t a courageous reminder of the oath. It’s a political stunt dressed up as patriotism. And the troops deserve better than vague warnings from politicians who won’t put their names next to a single concrete accusation.

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What do you think — principled stand or partisan panic? WecuMedia wants to hear from veterans, active duty, and civilians alike. Because sunshine is still the best disinfectant … even when the light shines on both sides.