Houlahan, Democratic lawmakers under fire for telling troops to refuse certain orders
Chester County Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan and five other Democratic lawmakers unleashed a firestorm with a video telling service members and members of the intelligence community to refuse “illegal” orders.
In the video, “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, said, “Americans trust their military” and warns against carrying out orders that “violate our Constitution.”
Houlahan complained to Fox News that people are taking the video the wrong way.
“I’m not telling people to ignore orders. I’m enormously frustrated with the way that this very sensible video is being interpreted in a really insidious way.”
She did not respond to requests to comment for this article.
Martin Young, a businessman, Army chaplain, and veteran, is running against Houlahan in 2026, reacted to the video on Facebook. Young noted that service members can talk to their chaplain for moral advice of their Judge Advocate General (JAG) for legal advice.
“There is a reason Congress created those roles,” the Republican said. “They exist to guide service members through hard situations without putting their careers, their units, or the mission at risk. Encouraging troops to bypass that support structure is not helpful, and it can mislead good people who are simply trying to do the right thing.
“Those of us who have worn the uniform understand how serious these issues are. That is why it is troubling to see members of Congress, like Chrissy Houlahan, telling troops to handle these situations in a way that could put them at risk unnecessarily.
Every one of us who has worn the uniform knows the oath we take is serious. We honor it by using the system built to protect both the Constitution and the men and women who defend it.”
The Orders Project, created by the National Institute of Military Justice to assist military personnel in understanding their options when faced with orders they believe may not be legal, released this statement regarding earlier remarks by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): “An order is lawful only if it comes from proper authority, serves a military purpose, and does not violate the Constitution, federal law, or international legal obligations. Personal disagreement or discomfort does not make an order unlawful.”
State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick was outraged.
“As a veteran in the U.S. Army, I am truly appalled that Democratic leaders in Congress called upon active-duty military service members and employees of our intelligence agencies to commit acts of treason against our country,” said Pennycuick (R-Montgomery).
“While serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, I expected my direct orders to be followed, as I was expected to follow my commanding officer’s orders. Having individual soldiers, sailors, or airmen deciding which order to execute and which to ignore is beyond idiotic. They know better.
“Shame on them for posting this outrageous, un-American message,” Pennycuick added.
Doylestown resident Peder Cox, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who was an infantry and special operations officer, as well as the son, grandson, brother, and uncle of career Army officers, suggested the Democrats’ video was typical behavior.
“To be expected from the morons that posted it,” said Cox. “First, you have to be able to prove the orders are illegal. To my knowledge, the Democrats don’t like the orders, so that makes them ‘illegal.’”
“They are full of it,” added Cox. “And are trying to make a big deal out of it, making mountains out of molehills. Especially the former Navy captain who’s been an over-the-top liberal his whole life.”
Sen. Dave McCormick said following a request for comment that “Not a single unlawful order is cited in this video — because there aren’t any. The video is inappropriate and unwarranted, and I didn’t hear any of these calls to defy orders when Democrats were using lawfare against President Trump, giving outlandish pardons, or intimidating tech companies to stop free speech.”
Meanwhile, President Trump unleashed a new round of Democratic furor on Thursday with his post to Truth Social: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT”
In another post Trump says, “ “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in part on X, “There should be no place for this violent rhetoric from our political leaders, and it shouldn’t be hard to say that.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) also said on X, “I strongly reject this dangerous rhetoric.
Do not threaten Members of Congress. Republican or Democrat. It’s deeply wrong with no exceptions—ever.”
In addition to Houlahan, the lawmakers on the video were: Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H.
Linda Stein is a Philadelphia area journalist.
It amazes me that supposedly intelligent people can be pushed to absolutely losing their mind and risking their life all in the effort to stop our president from lawfully carrying out what he promised the American people if they voted for him – which they did – in overwhelming and irrefutable fashion. The obstacles and utter interference of democrat congress and rogue federal judges are the real examples of ‘democracy at risk’ and obstruction of the will of the people, not Trump. Elections have consequences, said one past president. Yes they do.
Perhaps the admonition to disobey unlawful orders would ring more appropriate if it would not be the case where a Speaker of the House just after Trump’s first term began, went to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to enquire how the military could thwart any orders he might give. Incredibly the Chairman meet and discussed this obvious serious breach of the chain of command leaving one with the impression that Presidential command orders are just advisory for the military. Having served in the army, in Viet Nam, I have a certain familiarity with orders. Anyone in the military has the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) to guide their conduct and their duty, they also have the Chaplaincy for any moral conflicts and lastly, Rules of Engagement (who is or is not the enemy) and how he/she should be engaged and treated). One thing you cannot have in any military situation is when orders may be challenged any time for any reason a person may find personally compelling. Obedience to orders can be the difference between life and death, for the individual and for others covered by the scope of the order. I can’t determine if the video rises to the level of sedition, but it does seem to me to be an encouragement supporting mutiny, especially since the video does not define “unlawful order” including examples.