UPDATE: In a heated response, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., slammed a controversial video released by several Democratic lawmakers urging U.S. service members to reject what they label as “illegal” orders. This alarming message has sparked outrage among Republicans, who view it as a dangerous undermining of military authority.
Just hours ago, Blackburn appeared on The Faulkner Focus, where she characterized the video as “inconceivable,” stating it reflects a deep-seated animosity from Democrats towards President Donald Trump. “They have stage four Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Blackburn declared, emphasizing the gravity of the situation for military personnel.
The video, posted by Sen. Elissa Slotkin on Tuesday, has already amassed over 6.8 million views on social media platform X. It features Slotkin alongside fellow lawmakers including Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Chris Deluzio, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, and Rep. Jason Crow, all highlighting their military and intelligence backgrounds. They assert that threats to the Constitution are emanating from within the country and implore military members to “refuse illegal orders” that violate constitutional principles.
“We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community. The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship,” Slotkin wrote on X, amplifying the urgency of their message.
Blackburn countered this appeal, expressing dismay that elected officials would encourage military members to defy lawful orders. “I find this just so disturbing, that they would say, ‘defy the orders if you do not like the orders,’” she stated.
Adding to the controversy, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth chimed in on social media, echoing Blackburn’s sentiments with a remark on the “stage 4 TDS” comment, further intensifying the backlash against the Democrats.
Several lawmakers featured in the video have recently introduced legislation aimed at curbing presidential powers regarding the deployment of the National Guard domestically. This comes as a response to Trump’s use of the Guard in cities like Washington and Chicago. Their proposed measures would also limit the president’s ability to respond to narco-terrorism without congressional oversight, as the White House intensifies efforts against drug trafficking linked to these groups.
This developing situation raises critical questions about military loyalty and the political climate in the U.S. as tensions rise between party lines. With calls for a stronger adherence to the rule of law from the Republican side, the implications of this video and the response from Blackburn and others could resonate deeply within military communities.
As this story unfolds, the impact of such divisive rhetoric on military morale and public trust remains to be seen. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent matter as it develops.
