The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested interviews with six Democratic members of the U.S. Congress, a Justice Department official confirmed recently. This inquiry follows a video message, released last week, where these lawmakers advised military personnel of their legal right to refuse unlawful orders.
Pentagon Threats and Sedition Accusations
The controversy quickly drew strong reactions from the executive branch. On Monday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took to social media, describing the lawmakers' actions as "seditious." Subsequently, the Pentagon threatened to recall Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran and one of the six Democrats, to active duty, potentially to face military charges.
President Donald Trump, who critics argue has a history of attempting to use government power to stifle opposition, escalated the rhetoric. In a social media post, he directly accused the six Democrats of sedition, a crime he pointed out is punishable by death.
FBI's Stated Purpose and Official Referrals
A Justice Department official, speaking anonymously, stated that the FBI interviews, led by Trump appointee Kash Patel, aim "to determine if there’s any wrongdoing, and then go from there." Further intensifying the situation, a memo made public on Tuesday revealed that Hegseth formally referred Senator Kelly to the Secretary of the Navy for "potentially unlawful comments" made in the video. Hegseth has set a deadline of December 10 for a brief on the review's outcome.
Democrats Condemn Intimidation
In their own statements issued on Tuesday, the Democratic lawmakers vehemently criticized the FBI's move. They characterized it as a deliberate effort by the Trump administration to intimidate them into silence, underscoring a deepening political rift concerning military ethics and the boundaries of dissent.
