On November 20, 2025, President Trump posted three Truth Social messages threatening six Democratic lawmakers with execution. He wrote: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” and “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.” He also reposted a message stating: “Hang them George Washington would.”
The six targeted lawmakers — Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Lael Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan — are all military or intelligence veterans. Their alleged “crime” was posting a video stating: “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” This is settled law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which requires service members to disobey unlawful orders.
The consequences were immediate and severe. Senator Slotkin reported receiving nearly 1,000 threats in the aftermath of Trump's posts. House Speaker Mike Johnson distanced himself from the rhetoric. The White House attempted damage control, claiming Trump didn't “actually want to see members of Congress executed” — a statement that itself underscored the extraordinary nature of a sitting president calling for the death of lawmakers.