Democratic Leaders Condemn Execution Threat

On November 20, 2025, the President of the United States called for the execution of six duly elected members of Congress, accusing them of “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”  Almost immediately, those six congressional members were receiving death threats and are now receiving expensive 24/7 protection.  Why? All six served as members of the intelligence community or the military, and together created a video reminding those serving today of their oath to the Constitution and obligation to resist unlawful orders.

@CaptMarkKelly, "No one will stop me from defending our freedoms."

And why did they create the video?  According to Sen. Elissa Slotkin (MI) on ABC News “This Week,” they have been hearing “report after report” from military lawyers concerned about the legality of orders.  The deepest concerns were using the military, such as the National Guard, in American cities--a violation of the 150-year-old Posse Comitatus Act which prohibits the use of the military against American citizens without congressional authorization. This act was established to maintain a clear separation between military and civilian law enforcement.

Not only can military members disobey unlawful orders, they are required to do so.  The Uniform Code of Military Justice states that service members must refuse orders that violate the law or the Constitution.  It’s not optional, and an Air Force Times survey of 818 active-duty troops revealed that 80% of them were aware of this requirement.

We agree with Slotkin, who said, “I would hope that people of all backgrounds, Democrat, Republican, independent, would agree that threatening death for people you disagree with is beyond the pale.”

Immediately following the murder of the conservative Charlie Kirk, the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee condemned political violence in all forms. Both Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have condemned the President’s threats; although other Republicans have criticized the threats, Rep. Stefanik has not.

We continue to condemn all calls for political violence and are appalled that it is our own United States President whose calls for political violence we are now compelled to address.

Mike Zagrobelny and Ginger Storey-Welch

Chair and Vice-Chair of the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee