- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Trump Faces Backlash Over Attempted Prosecution of Lawmakers
Analyst says Trump's effort to indict Democrats for advising troops was an 'attempted coup'
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A political analyst has argued that President Donald Trump's recent attempt to prosecute six Democratic members of Congress for advising military troops to disobey unlawful orders was an 'attempted coup' and one of the most 'ominous' scandals of his second term. The analyst says Trump's actions highlight his 'insidious appetite' to prosecute his political enemies, even though the grand jury ultimately refused to indict the lawmakers.
Why it matters
This incident is seen as another example of Trump's efforts to use the power of the presidency to target and punish his political opponents, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and Congress under Trump's leadership.
The details
Last week, a federal grand jury refused to return an indictment against six Democrats who posted a video on social media telling military troops that they don't have to obey illegal orders. Trump described the video as 'seditious' and called for the Democrats to be court martialed. Political analyst David Shuster argued that Trump's attempt to prosecute the Democrats was an 'attempted coup' and 'an insidious Trump appetite that inspired this prosecution effort'.
- The federal grand jury refused to indict the six Democrats last week.
The players
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who is accused of attempting to prosecute political opponents.
David Shuster
A political analyst who wrote an essay criticizing Trump's actions as an 'attempted coup'.
Six Democratic members of Congress
Lawmakers who posted a video advising military troops to disobey unlawful orders, leading to Trump's attempted prosecution.
What they’re saying
“For all the turmoil Donald Trump has inflicted on our nation in his 2nd Presidential term, last week's revelation that his Department of Justice sought to indict sitting members of Congress for advising members of the U.S. military to disobey unlawful orders should rank among the most ominous.”
— David Shuster, Political Analyst (Substack)
“This wasn't merely politicized legal brinkmanship. It was an attempted coup by prosecutorial fiat, one that was luckily stymied by a grand jury panel of ordinary citizens.”
— David Shuster, Political Analyst (Substack)
What’s next
The grand jury's refusal to indict the six Democratic lawmakers has temporarily halted Trump's efforts, but the analyst warns that this incident highlights the president's 'insidious appetite' to prosecute his political opponents, raising concerns about the future.
The takeaway
This case underscores the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and Congress under Trump's leadership, as well as the broader concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law. It serves as a reminder of the importance of checks and balances in the American political system, even as Trump continues to push the boundaries of presidential power.
