Politics
PA officials among nationwide pushback against Trump claiming members of Congress engaged in ‘seditious behavior’
The president suggested in a social media post that the behavior of the lawmakers could be ‘punishable by DEATH!’
President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference in July 2025. Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania officials are decrying remarks made by President Donald Trump on Thursday suggesting that several members of Congress engaged in “seditious behavior” after they posted a video to social media telling members of the military and intelligence community that they can “refuse illegal orders” handed down by the Trump administration.
In the video, several members of Congress who formerly served in the military and as intelligence officers encouraged members of the military to uphold the Constitution.
“Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” the lawmakers said in a video that stitched together statements from Democratic U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, as well as Democratic U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant. Whether you’re serving in the CIA, the Army, or Navy, the Air Force – your vigilance is critical,” the video continued. “Know that we have your back, because now more than ever, the American people need you – need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution, and who we are as Americans. Don’t give up.”
In a series of posts to Truth Social on Thursday, Trump, referencing the video, suggested that the lawmakers engaged in seditious behavior, going so far as to say their behavior could be punishable by death.
“This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT,” Trump posted at 9:17 a.m. on Thursday.
Nearly an hour later, in a separate post, Trump said: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The posts drew a quick response from the six lawmakers featured in the video, including Houlahan, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and Deluzio, who served in the U.S. Navy.
Don't give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/T4EiN521iY
— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) November 20, 2025
“We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” they said in a joint statement. “What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.
“Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity,” the statement continues.
In a video message, Deluzio said he won’t be swayed by Trump’s comments.
“Today, Donald Trump called for my death, called for the arrest and the death of me and several of my colleagues, all who’ve either worn the uniform or served intelligence services,” Deluzio said. “He didn’t want to hear a basic lesson that we know about our Constitution, about the oath we all take when we serve … that you follow lawful orders – that the oath to the Constitution, the loyalty to the Constitution, comes above all.”“I’m not going to be intimidated,” Deluzio continued. “I’m not going to be deterred from my duty to represent the people who sent me to Congress and uphold my oath to the Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro also denounced Trump’s comments, writing in a post on X that Trump is “ratcheting up the real risk of danger to our elected leaders and deepening the divides in our country.”
“There should be no place for this violent rhetoric from our political leaders, and it shouldn’t be hard to say that,” Shapiro added.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said he strongly rejects the language used by Trump. “Do not threaten Members of Congress. Republican or Democrat. It’s deeply wrong with no exceptions – ever.”
Speaking of Trump’s rhetoric, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said the country “cannot allow this to become normal.”
“If you’re a person of influence in this country and you haven’t picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side,” he said in a post.
According to Politico, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday it was Democrats who were engaging in “wildly inappropriate” behavior.
“For a senator like Mark Kelly or any member of the House or Senate to behave in that kind of talks is to me so just beyond the pale,” Johnson added.
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Thursday that Trump does not actually want to execute members of Congress, despite his post.
“Let’s be clear about what the president is responding to,” Leavitt said at a press conference. “You have sitting members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States military – to active duty service members, to members of the national security apparatus – encouraging them to defy the president’s lawful orders.”