Justice Department Threatens Democrats Behind Video Calling on Military to Defy Illegal Orders
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche strongly suggested Wednesday that the Justice Department will investigate Democratic members of Congress who recorded a video calling on the military to “refuse unlawful orders.” (Watch the clips below.)
Blanche told News host Sean Hannity that such an investigation would focus on her “intent” and indicate that she had already made a decision. The clip, he said, encourages troops and others to “defy a direct order from their superior. And that’s wrong.”
“And what is the investigation like?” -Blanca asked. “I think they should be held accountable. I think those congressmen should be required to answer questions about why they did what they did, and the American people deserve it, and so does President Trump.”
Pressed by Hannity to determine whether the video makers had violated laws regarding rebellion and insurrection, Blanche said, “I’m not going to condemn anyone tonight on this show.”
Blanche said the matter required “a very close look” and promised that it would happen.
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In a video that outraged Trump allies, Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Mich.) led four other military and intelligence community alumni in Congress in urging service members to defy orders that violate the law.
The lawmakers were presumably referring to legally disputed federal raids ordered by Trump into blue cities supposedly to combat crime.
“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” Democrats said. “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, threats to our Constitution come not only from abroad. But from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can reject illegal orders… You must reject illegal orders… We need you to defend our laws, our Constitution and who we are as Americans.”
“I felt like I was watching a propaganda video of one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies,” Blanche told Hannity, adding that Trump is not doing anything “illegal.”
Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, called the video an act of “insurrection.”
“I know the difference between defending our Constitution and an insurrection,” Kelly responded, “even if you don’t.”
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