Trump suggests death penalty for Democrats who encouraged disobedience

A group of Democratic senators and representatives — all with military or intelligence experience — said in a video posted Tuesday on X that “this administration is pitting our military and intelligence professionals against American citizens.”

“At this moment, threats to our Constitution do not only come from abroad, but also from here, from our own country,” they declared, adding: “You can disobey illegal orders.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had previously harshly criticized the video, saying on Wednesday on X that it was an open call to the military “to rise up against their commander in chief.”

Among the Democratic congressmen are Senators Mark Kelly, a former member of the United States Navy and NASA astronaut, and Elissa Slotkin, who served for the CIA in Iraq.

The Trump administration has been the target of criticism for the use of American forces both inside and outside the country.

The Republican president ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to several American cities, in many cases against the wishes of local authorities, with the argument of trying to control alleged widespread unrest. These orders were challenged in court.