Six Democratic members of Congress who served in the military or intelligence community, including U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio of Fox Chapel, are telling current servicemembers and intelligence officials they have a right — and obligation — to refuse illegal orders.

In response, President Donald Trump described the message from Democrats as “seditious behavior” and noted that such behavior could be “punishable by death.”

“Right now the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad,” Deluzio said in the 90-second video originally posted Tuesday on the X account of U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, a former CIA officer.

“Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” added U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy officer.

“You must refuse illegal orders,” said Deluzio, also a former Navy officer.

The lawmakers do not say in the video what orders issued during the current administration they consider illegal. But actions by the administration to deploy military troops to U.S. cities and conduct military strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean have raised legal questions and drawn criticism from some.

William Banks, professor emeritus of law at Syracuse University, said servicemembers’ obligation to refuse illegal orders is “pretty straightforward.”

“It’s in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, in the pledge that (servicemembers) take when they enlist and it’s embedded in all the training that military lawyers receive,” Banks said.

The gray area, Banks said, can be “drawing the line between lawful and unlawful, because one person’s perspective can be very different from another person’s.”

The lawmakers’ video drew harsh rebukes from Trump, members of his administration and supporters of the president.

“This is really bad, and Dangerous to our country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social just after 9 a.m. Thursday. “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS! LOCK THEM UP???”

About an hour later, Trump followed up on his original post: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

“It is insurrection — plainly, directly, without question,” Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, told Fox News.

“These lawmakers should honestly resign in disgrace and never return to public office again for even daring to think, let alone to say, these words and to say them proudly. It shows what a dangerous moment we’re in,” Miller added.

In addition to Deluzio, Slotkin and Kelly, the video featured U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania’s Chester County, a former Air Force officer; U.S. Jason Crow of Colorado, a former Army Ranger who attained the rank of captain; and U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, a former Navy Reserve intelligence officer.

Following Trump’s remarks on social media, the six lawmakers issued a joint statement condemning the president’s comments.

“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 … No threat, intimidation or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” the lawmakers said in the statement.

“But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans,” the lawmakers added. “Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat from Montgomery County, waded into the debate to denounce Trump’s comments, noting that two of the six lawmakers are from the Keystone State.

“Not only has the President failed in his responsibility to lead this country — he is actively encouraging political violence once again, ratcheting up the real risk of danger to our elected leaders and deepening the divides in our country,” Shapiro wrote on X.

“The sycophants and enablers the President surrounds himself with are quick to condemn language like this when it suits their political purposes — but in moments like this, they remain silent,” the governor added. “There should be no place for this violent rhetoric from our political leaders, and it shouldn’t be hard to say that.”

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, also condemned Trump’s comments.

“I strongly reject this dangerous rhetoric. Do not threaten Members of Congress. Republican or Democrat. It’s deeply wrong with no exceptions— ever,” Fetterman wrote on X.

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