This video was released by a group of U.S. lawmakers from the Democratic Party, many of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds. It uses the phrase “Don’t give up the ship,” a historic naval motto, to urge service members to uphold their oath to the Constitution and the law rather than blindly follow orders.
This video is a call to conscience for military/intel personnel: you have obligations beyond just following orders. It underscores that lawful service is rooted in loyalty to the Constitution and the law—especially when orders may conflict with those. As a civilian, it signals a concern about potential misuse of military power in domestic contexts and an emphasis that service members should “stand up for laws and our Constitution”.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
Trump’s Response and Political Persecution
Trump called the lawmakers responsible for the video “traitors” and accused them of “seditious behavior … punishable by DEATH!” in posts on his social-media platform. The White House press secretary (Karoline Leavitt) said that Trump did not intend to literally call for executions—though she also criticized the lawmakers’ message as a call for military rebellion.
“Dem Lawmakers Get Bomb Threats After Trump Calls For Their Execution. The president’s use of violent language has had severe and frightening consequences.” – The New Republic, Rachel Kahn, November 22, 2025
“White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats. The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.” – The Washington Post, Ellen Nakashima, Warren P. Strobel and Alex Horton, November 22, 2025
What Does the UCMJ Article 92 Say?
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), service members are generally required to obey lawful orders, but they are not required to obey unlawful orders. Following an unlawful order can have serious consequences, including criminal liability. Service members are expected to refuse orders that are clearly illegal. Examples of illegal orders include: committing a crime (e.g., assaulting civilians, theft, unlawful killing), violating the Geneva Conventions, or other criminal acts.
What To Do If You Are a Part of the Military?
Service members should report illegal orders through their chain of command or Inspector General channels. In short: You must obey lawful orders. You must not obey unlawful orders. And if you follow an unlawful order, you can be held legally responsible.
Practical guidance for service members:
- Ask for clarification if an order seems questionable.
- Document the order and your refusal if possible.
- Report through the chain of command or IG channels if the order is unlawful.
References:
- The New Republic, Greg Sargent, November 21, 2025 – Is Trump Giving Illegal Orders? Dems Just Blew the Question Wide Open. From the boat bombings to deportations to prosecutions, the evidence mounts. And the speaker of the House could get to the bottom of it if he wanted to. Yeah, right.
Shop More, Spend Less – Only on Temu!
Discover millions of deals on fashion, home goods, electronics & more – at prices that seem too good to be true (but aren’t). Free shipping, big savings, and daily surprises await. Download Temu and start shopping smarter.
Why pay more?
Temu helps you stretch your dollar without sacrificing style. From must-have gadgets to trending outfits, shop direct and save BIG. Thousands of 5-star deals. Daily flash sales. Your wallet will thank you.
Deals You Can’t Miss – Only on Temu!
Explore jaw-dropping prices on everything from tech and tools to fashion and fun. With free shipping, easy returns, and endless daily deals, there’s no reason not to shop. Click below and see why everyone’s talking about Temu.
Leave a Reply