An attempt to criminally charge six Democratic lawmakers over a short video message to U.S. service members has collapsed before it could gain traction.
A federal grand jury declined to issue indictments sought by prosecutors in Washington, according to a source familiar with the matter. The charges would have stemmed from a late-year video in which the lawmakers reminded members of the military that they are obligated to refuse unlawful orders — a principle embedded in U.S. military law.
The six featured in the video included Senators Elise Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan. Their message, under 90 seconds long, cited existing legal standards governing military conduct.
Prosecutors had pursued allegations that the lawmakers violated a federal statute prohibiting interference with the loyalty, morale or discipline of the armed forces. The effort was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington.
The push for charges followed sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who publicly condemned the lawmakers and accused them of disloyalty after the video circulated. He had previously labeled them “traitors,” escalating political tensions around the issue.
In statements following the grand jury’s decision, several of the lawmakers framed the outcome as a vindication.
Slotkin said the case centered on a video that “simply quoted the law,” adding that the grand jury’s refusal to proceed affirmed the rule of law. Kelly described the attempted prosecution as an abuse of power tied to remarks he made publicly. Deluzio and Crow echoed similar sentiments, rejecting what they characterized as efforts to intimidate them.
The Justice Department did not immediately comment.
The controversy unfolded amid broader disputes over the administration’s use of the National Guard in U.S. cities and authorization of force against suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Civil liberties advocates have criticized what they view as an increasingly aggressive posture toward political opponents and expanded federal deployments in Democratic-led areas — moves that have triggered court challenges and street protests.
For now, the grand jury’s decision closes the door on the indictment effort. But the clash underscores how legal mechanisms and political combat are increasingly colliding in Washington, where even a brief video can spark a federal case — and a constitutional debate.
