Threatened to arrest or execute Democratic lawmakers for urging refusal of illegal orders
November 20, 2025
Systemic Escalation
Founders' Principles Violated
Guardrails Violated
Why Level 4?
Threats to arrest or execute lawmakers for exercising First Amendment rights. Multiple guardrails bypassed: First Amendment, due process, separation of powers. Measurable harm to democratic norms and political discourse.
What Happened
Context
Democratic lawmakers including Senator Elissa Slotkin shared videos urging military members to refuse illegal orders. Trump responded by threatening to arrest or execute Democratic lawmakers for what he called 'seditious behavior.'
Action Taken
Threatened to arrest or execute Democratic lawmakers on November 20, 2025 for sharing videos urging military members to refuse illegal orders. Trump called the lawmakers' actions 'seditious behavior' and said they should be 'prosecuted' or 'hanged.' The threats were made during public statements. Critics argued the threats violated First Amendment rights and constituted intimidation of political opponents. No concrete action was taken, but the threats created fear and uncertainty.
In His Own Words
"Democrats who tell soldiers to refuse orders should be prosecuted."
"That's sedition and they should be hanged."
"We will not tolerate this kind of behavior."
What's Wrong
Threats to arrest or execute political opponents for exercising First Amendment rights violate constitutional protections. Threats of violence against lawmakers undermine democratic norms and separation of powers. The threats were made without proper legal basis or due process. Critics argued the threats constituted intimidation and violated First Amendment rights.
Impact
Constitutional: Threats violate First Amendment rights and democratic norms. Legal: Threats of violence against lawmakers undermine separation of powers. Operational: Created fear and uncertainty among lawmakers and political opponents. Political: Bipartisan condemnation of threats.