WASHINGTON, DC — A federal grand jury in Washington has declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video urging U.S. service members to reject “illegal orders,” according to reporting by the Associated Press.
The Justice Department had opened an investigation into the video, which featured Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, along with Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. All six have prior military or intelligence backgrounds.
Grand jurors declined to approve charges after reviewing the government’s evidence, an outcome described as unusual but not unprecedented. It remains unclear what specific charges prosecutors sought or whether all six lawmakers were targets. Prosecutors could attempt to present the case again.
The probe followed public criticism from President Donald Trump and allies, who labeled the video “seditious.” Trump wrote on social media that such actions were “punishable by death,” escalating tensions surrounding the investigation.
Slotkin welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for “the Constitution, our freedom of speech, and the rule of law.” Kelly described the attempted prosecution as an “outrageous abuse of power.”
Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pursued disciplinary action against Kelly related to the video, prompting ongoing legal challenges in federal court.
Sources
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