Six Democrat Lawmakers Threatened with Prosecution Over 'Sedition' Video

The group, dubbed the 'Seditious Six', vow legal action against the Trump administration over the failed prosecution attempt.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Six Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Chris Deluzio, are threatening legal action against the Trump administration after narrowly avoiding indictment over a video they posted last year urging U.S. service members to disobey 'illegal orders'. The lawmakers, who are also military veterans, accused the Department of Justice of 'weaponizing' the justice system to silence political opposition.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing political tensions and accusations of abuse of power, as the Trump administration sought to prosecute the lawmakers for their video message, which they claim was simply a reminder to service members to uphold the Constitution. The lawmakers' threat of legal action raises questions about the boundaries of free speech, particularly for elected officials, and the role of the justice system in policing political speech.

The details

In November 2025, the group of Democratic lawmakers, known as the 'Seditious Six', posted a video to social media urging U.S. service members to refuse orders that violate the Constitution. The Department of Justice then launched an investigation, considering whether the lawmakers' actions amounted to sedition. However, on Tuesday, the DOJ failed to indict the lawmakers, prompting them to threaten legal action against the Trump administration. The lawmakers accused the administration of trying to 'silence political opposition' and vowed to 'take all necessary actions' if the DOJ's efforts do not stop.

  • In November 2025, the 'Seditious Six' posted the video to social media.
  • On Tuesday, the DOJ failed to indict the lawmakers on criminal charges.

The players

Jason Crow

A Democratic Representative from Colorado and one of the 'Seditious Six' lawmakers.

Maggie Goodlander

A Democratic Representative from New Hampshire and one of the 'Seditious Six' lawmakers.

Chrissy Houlahan

A Democratic Representative from Pennsylvania and one of the 'Seditious Six' lawmakers.

Chris Deluzio

A Democratic Representative from Pennsylvania and one of the 'Seditious Six' lawmakers.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who accused the 'Seditious Six' of 'sedition at the highest level' and suggested they should be executed.

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What they’re saying

“Yesterday, the Trump Department of Justice tried and failed to indict us on criminal charges based on a video that we filmed last year simply reminding our fellow service members to follow the law and the Constitution. They failed, and they will always fail.”

— Jason Crow, Democratic Representative from Colorado (1010wcsi.com)

“This is outrageous. I want to be clear about something. This is not a good news story. This is a story about how Donald Trump and his cronies are trying to break our system in order to silence anyone who lawfully speaks out against them.”

— Mark Kelly, Democratic Senator from Arizona (1010wcsi.com)

“The president has used our justice system to weaponize (it) against his perceived enemies. I think that we've come to a really sad moment in America, where the paradigm of leadership has become completely reversed in 2026. Instead of looking to our elected leaders, like the president, as setting an example, it is now up to individual citizens in their private capacity to uphold the values of democracy, free speech, liberty, justice.”

— Elissa Slotkin, Democratic Senator from Michigan (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The lawmakers have indicated they will take legal action against the Trump administration if the DOJ's efforts to prosecute them do not stop.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing political divide and accusations of abuse of power, as the Trump administration sought to prosecute lawmakers for a video message that the lawmakers claim was simply a reminder to service members to uphold the Constitution. The lawmakers' threat of legal action raises questions about the boundaries of free speech and the role of the justice system in policing political speech.