Grand Jury Rejects Trump Justice Department’s Bid to Indict Six Congressional Democrats Over Viral Military Video
WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has declined to indict six Democratic members of Congress, rebuffing a high-profile attempt by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to prosecute the lawmakers for a video statement released last fall. The decision marks a significant legal setback for the Justice Department and follows months of escalating tensions between the White House and Capitol Hill regarding the boundaries of political speech and military loyalty.
The investigation centered on a 90-second video posted in November, in which the six lawmakers—all veterans of the U.S. military or intelligence community—reminded active-duty service members of their obligation to refuse “illegal orders.” The group included Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), as well as Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.).
The video, titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” urged personnel to uphold their oaths to the Constitution rather than blind loyalty to any single leader. “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders,” the lawmakers stated in the clip, which quickly went viral.
President Donald Trump reacted furiously to the publication, characterizing the lawmakers’ actions as treasonous. In a series of posts on his social media platform, the President accused the group of “seditious behavior” that he claimed was “punishable by death,” arguing that their message undermined the chain of command and incited mutiny within the ranks.
Following the President’s condemnation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, convened a grand jury to hear evidence against the legislators. Prosecutors reportedly sought charges related to sedition and inciting insubordination among military personnel. The move to seek indictments against sitting members of Congress for political speech was described by legal analysts as unprecedented in modern American history.
Despite the administration’s aggressive posture, the grand jury—comprised of ordinary citizens from the District of Columbia—ultimately rejected the prosecutor’s request for an indictment. The “no true bill” decision signals that the jurors did not find sufficient probable cause to believe that the lawmakers’ restatement of military law constituted a crime.
The outcome is likely to fuel further debate over the politicization of the Justice Department. Supporters of the six Democrats have hailed the grand jury’s decision as a victory for the rule of law and the First Amendment. “The grand jury saw this for what it was: a political hit job ordered by a President who believes he is above the law,” said a spokesperson for Rep. Jason Crow. “Reminding our troops of their constitutional duties is not a crime; it is a patriot’s obligation.”
The Justice Department has not yet commented on whether it will attempt to present the case to a different grand jury or pursue other legal avenues. Meanwhile, the Pentagon continues its separate administrative review regarding the military status of Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened with a recall to active duty for potential court-martial proceedings—a move Kelly has challenged in federal court as unconstitutional retaliation.
* politicalwire.com
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* theguardian.com
* ssbcrack.com
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* foxnews.com
* evrimagaci.org
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