A Democratic congresswoman and former Air Force captain who joined five other lawmakers in a viral video advising service members that they can refuse unlawful orders from a president has shared a series of voicemails supporting her stance.
The video, recorded by six Democratic lawmakers who are all military veterans, drew a sharp response from President Donald Trump, who labeled them “traitors,” and from War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who asked Navy Secretary John Phelan to formally review one senator’s comments featured in the clip.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, who represents Chester County and Reading, released an edited compilation of voicemails from callers thanking her and her colleagues for “standing up” for members of the military at what the lawmakers described as a precarious moment for those serving the country.
Several callers identified themselves as veterans and supporters from around the country, including some from as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska. Others said they were calling from Philadelphia, Reading, West Chester, Phoenixville and Berwyn in Pennsylvania, as well as from Baltimore, Maryland; Carlsbad, California; and other communities.
Callers also highlighted their own or their families’ military service, describing themselves as Marine veterans, infantry veterans, a wounded warrior, a Gulf War veteran and descendants of those who served in World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Korea.
“I am not a constituent,” one caller said. “I am a veteran.”
“Thank you for standing firmly with our service members,” another added.
“I just want to tell her I appreciate her comments, and they’re right,” a third caller said.
Responding directly to the message in the video, one veteran expressed appreciation that Houlahan was “letting them know it’s OK to question orders that seem wrong or illegal.”
“I’m with you. I’m behind you,” another caller said.
“You have support and gratitude from citizens across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Thank you. That’s all I can tell you. Thank you very much. You’re making the commonwealth very proud. I am so proud of all six of you for making that video,” several callers said in the composite clip.
“I will continue to speak up for you because you continue to speak up to me,” another person told Houlahan.
In response, the White House criticized Houlahan and other Democrats, saying they were unable to provide concrete examples of unlawful orders issued by Trump or the Pentagon when pressed.
“Because there have been none,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.
“It should deeply concern all Americans that elected Democrats are publicly urging the military to openly defy the chain-of-command and the commander in chief’s lawful orders to subvert the will of the American people,” she said.
On Tuesday, Houlahan said the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms, who are responsible for maintaining order in Capitol facilities, to request interviews with the lawmakers who appeared in the video.
“President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress,” Houlahan said.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.”
“We will never be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” she added, quoting a line from the video spoken by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.
The most prominent lawmaker featured in the video, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., now faces a potential Pentagon investigation, according to documents.
Kelly, a retired Navy combat pilot and astronaut, holds a “retired” status—requiring 20 years of service—rather than “former.” That distinction allows the Pentagon to recall him to duty for possible disciplinary action, which could include loss of rank or other penalties.
Hegseth dubbed Houlahan, Kelly and the other participants the “Seditious Six,” and his office issued a statement reminding service members of their obligations under military law.
“Service members are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful,” the War Department said. “A service member’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.”
Houlahan served two years on active duty in the Air Force from 1989 to 1991 and continued in the Reserves until separating in 2004.
Her father was a Naval aviator, and she was born at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s, Maryland.
Since the video’s release, five of the six lawmakers involved have reportedly received bomb threats directed at their offices.
Slotkin, Houlahan and Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., were targeted with threats to their Capitol Hill offices. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, the wife of Obama National Security Adviser Jacob Sullivan, reportedly received a bomb threat at her district office in Concord, New Hampshire, according to Newsweek.
