Sen. John Fetterman criticized President Donald Trump after Trump suggested that Democratic lawmakers who encouraged service members to reject unlawful commands were engaging in “seditious behavior” and should face the death penalty.
“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 in a social media post.
Trump’s remarks came after a group of Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds issued a public warning to the armed forces about complying with illegal directives. The lawmakers did not point to a specific order, but their statement followed heightened scrutiny of the administration’s strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Those operations have reportedly resulted in more than 80 deaths. The lawmakers argued the administration was “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” and emphasized that personnel are not required to follow unlawful commands.
“Right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” they said. “You can refuse illegal orders.”
Trump responded online with a series of posts, calling the lawmakers’ message “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country,” and labeling them “traitors.” In another post, he escalated further, declaring their actions “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
He also reposted a separate message from a user who urged him to “hang” the lawmakers, claiming such a response would align with America’s founding-era leaders.
