Six Democratic lawmakers, who additionally served within the army, launched a video this week reminding U.S. troops to refuse “unlawful orders,” drawing the ire of President Trump and his supporters.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
President Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of seditious conduct that’s, quote, “punishable by loss of life” in an internet put up yesterday, all as a result of lawmakers who’ve army or nationwide safety backgrounds recorded this video talking on to service members.
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MARK KELLY: Our legal guidelines are clear. You possibly can refuse unlawful orders.
MARTÍNEZ: The White Home later walked again Trump’s feedback. In a couple of minutes, we communicate with one of many lawmakers within the video, Consultant Jason Crow. First, NPR’s Quil Lawrence occurred to be interviewing dozens of veterans who have been on Capitol Hill this week to speak about this similar topic.
QUIL LAWRENCE, BYLINE: Forty-one vets from 21 states visited Washington this week to precise concern that Nationwide Guard and even active-duty troops have been dragged into home legislation enforcement. Jackie Robinson (ph) is a 27-year veteran of the Military.
JACKIE ROBINSON: I need to communicate out towards the politicalization of the army and to guard the Structure.
LAWRENCE: Robinson additionally labored in legislation enforcement. She says the army has a special mission, and mixing the 2 is harmful for troops and civilians.
ROBINSON: And the strains are being blurred while you simply put somebody right into a place that they don’t seem to be skilled for.
ALEX MCCOY: I served underneath each Republican and Democratic presidents, commanders in chief.
LAWRENCE: Alex McCoy is a former Marine.
MCCOY: So this isn’t a partisan problem. This isn’t a political problem. It is only a matter of defending our army from getting sucked into divisive inner politics and avoiding conditions the place Americans are afraid of women and men in uniform.
LAWRENCE: Whereas these vets met with figures from each events, six Democratic lawmakers put out a video.
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KELLY: You possibly can refuse unlawful orders.
ELISSA SLOTKIN: You possibly can refuse unlawful orders.
CHRIS DELUZIO: It’s essential to refuse unlawful orders.
SLOTKIN: Nobody has to hold out orders that violate the legislation.
CHRISSY HOULAHAN: Or our Structure.
LAWRENCE: On social media, President Trump referred to as for the six Democrats to be tried for treason. He reposted a suggestion to hold them. White Home adviser Stephen Miller spoke on Fox Information.
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STEPHEN MILLER: It is a normal name for revolt from the CIA and the Armed Providers of the USA by Democrat lawmakers.
LAWRENCE: The White Home later put out a press release that the president doesn’t need to execute members of Congress. The army swear an oath to the Structure and are skilled that following orders will not be a protection for unlawful acts. In the intervening time, there’s a debate and lawsuits about whether or not deploying troops domestically or deadly strikes towards alleged drug boats break US or worldwide legislation.
Quil Lawrence, NPR Information.
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