U.S. Navy veteran and U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA) is one of the six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds who were featured in a video telling active-duty members of the military that they can, and should, refuse illegal orders. The video created a firestorm and was slammed by Republicans who saw it as a threat to the U.S. military chain of command.
— Chris Deluzio (@ChrisForPA) October 16, 2025
President Trump responded on social media by calling those who appeared in the video, including Deluzio, traitors who should be charged with sedition punishable by death. The President amplified a post which read, “HANG THEM.”
The Justice Department and FBI have since requested interviews with all six lawmakers regarding the “illegal orders” video. Deluzio said he doesn’t intend to voluntarily comply.
The President of the United States has already called for my arrest and hanging, and has sent the Justice Department after me and other members of Congress for stating the law.
I will not be intimidated by any harassment campaign. I do not intend to sit down for a voluntary…
— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) February 6, 2026
Deluzio, a retired Navy Lieutenant who served in the Iraq War, wrote Friday on social media: “The President of the United States has already called for my arrest and hanging, and has sent the Justice Department after me and other members of Congress for stating the law. I will not be intimidated by any harassment campaign. I do not intend to sit down for a voluntary interview with DOJ or FBI officials sent to interfere with the important work I’m doing for my constituents. This should end. And I will fight hard against any further unlawful escalation.”
Note: The other Democratic lawmakers who are either military veterans or worked in the intelligence community featured in the video are Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH).
[NOTE: Kelly, the former NASA astronaut and fighter jet pilot who is probably the best known of the video participants, appeared this week in court for his lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon. Kelly’s suit is in response to the Defense Department’s efforts to discipline him over the video.]