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D.C. grand jury declines to indict six Democratic lawmakers involved in 'illegal orders' video
A D.C. grand jury rejected felony charges against six Democratic lawmakers who urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders, defying federal prosecutors' efforts tied to President Trump's demands.
- Tuesday's grand jury in Washington, D.C., refused to indict six Democratic lawmakers after prosecutors sought charges over a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.
- Three months ago, six Democratic members of Congress posted a video urging troops to 'refuse illegal orders,' enraging President Donald Trump and prompting Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, to authorize charges under 18 U.S.C. 2387.
- The video features Sen. Elissa Slotkin and five colleagues, telling military members they can refuse illegal orders, a statement deemed 'indisputably accurate as a matter of law.'
- The U.S. Department of Defense opened an investigation into Kelly and threatened court-martial action, while Kelly's lawyers argue his comments are protected congressional speech.
- Legal questions center on whether prosecutors can prove the required intent under 18 U.S.C. 2387, while Brandenburg v. Ohio and the Speech or Debate Clause protect legislative speech.
220 Articles
220 Articles
US Lawmakers Learn of Indictment and Legal Actions
WASHINGTON, Feb 11 – Members of the U.S. Congress learned only through press reports that President Donald Trump’s administration had tried – and failed – to have them charged and arrested, and some said on Wednesday they were considering legal action in response. “This is not a good news story,” Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former astronaut and Navy veteran, told a news conference. “This is a story about how Donald Trump and his …
New Hampshire Union Leader
D.C. grand jury declines to indict six Democratic lawmakers
A federal grand jury in D.C. refused the Justice Department’s attempts to indict six Democratic lawmakers over their comments to military service members - the latest rebuke of the Trump administration’s push to prosecute the president’s foes, according to two…
Kelly, Slotkin decry ‘authoritarian’ Trump attempt to indict Dems for illegal orders video
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., listens as Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., speaks on the failed grand jury indictment against them during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 11, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)WASHINGTON — Democratic members of Congress said Wednesday the Trump administration was using the “authoritarian playbook” when it tried to secure a grand jury indictment against them for releasing a video t…
A grand jury in Washington today rejected indictments against Democratic senators who urged US soldiers to refuse illegal orders from the current government in a publicly released video last year, US media reported. The decision of the grand jury was also welcomed by Senate Republican Majority Leader Thom Tillis.
Grand jury declines to indict Rep. Crow, other Democrats for illegal orders video
The U.S. Justice Department tried to indict Rep. Jason Crow, seen here speaking at Buckley Space Force Base in 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)A grand jury in Washington, D.C., shut down the U.S. Justice Department’s effort to indict six Democratic members of Congress over a video in which they said members of the military and intelligence community should refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration, according to the Associated P…
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