Thu Nov 20 15:50:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Former Military and Intelligence Officials in Congress Urge Service Members to Disobey Illegal Orders from Trump Administration
Washington, D.C. – A group of Democratic members of Congress with backgrounds in the military and intelligence communities has issued a public plea to service members and intelligence officials, urging them to refuse to obey any orders from the Trump administration that they deem illegal.
In a video posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, warned of “threats to our Constitution” originating “from right here at home.” They repeatedly emphasized that personnel are not obligated to follow unlawful orders. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution,” the lawmakers stated. “Know that we have your back… don’t give up the ship.”
The lawmakers did not specify which specific orders prompted the message. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members are only required to follow lawful orders. Obedience to an illegal order is not a valid legal defense, referencing the “Nuremberg defense” used during the trials of Nazi leaders after World War II.
The video’s release coincides with growing scrutiny over the legality of recent U.S. military actions. The legality of U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific has been questioned by U.S. military officials, allies, and lawmakers. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people since September. The Trump administration’s use of troops in American cities has also faced legal challenges.
Republican lawmakers have strongly criticized the Democrats’ message. Senator Marsha Blackburn condemned the idea of elected officials encouraging uniformed military members to defy orders, while Senator Lindsey Graham demanded specific examples of unlawful orders issued by President Trump or his subordinates.
The Defense Department justifies the strikes against boats allegedly carrying drugs using a Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion, which identifies 24 cartels and criminal organizations in Latin America as authorized targets.
However, lawmakers briefed by the Pentagon have reported that military officials have acknowledged not knowing the identities of those targeted before lethal action, requiring only proof of cartel affiliation. This has raised legal concerns among Pentagon lawyers. Additionally, military lawyers have been noticeably absent from recent congressional briefings, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently dismissed the top uniformed lawyers for the Army and Air Force.
According to a source familiar with the matter, lawmakers have also faced difficulty obtaining briefings from the intelligence community regarding its role in the boat strikes, despite repeated requests and public claims by the Trump administration that the victims were known drug traffickers. Formal requests, including at least one sent to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have reportedly gone unanswered. Lawmakers have so far only received briefings from officials at the State Department and Department of Defense.
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