“Sedition Six” Face Federal Scrutiny After Urging Military To Reject “Illegal Orders” Without Citing Any

Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 7:00 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- The Department of Justice is preparing to conduct interviews with a group of six Democratic lawmakers, now widely referred to on Capitol Hill as “The Sedition Six,” after they released a video early last week urging members of the U.S. military to refuse “illegal orders” from the administration, despite failing to identify or articulate a single alleged illegal directive.

     According to senior DOJ officials familiar with the matter, the interviews are expected to begin as early as the end of this week. The lawmakers, all House Democrats, published the video on social media platforms last week. In it, they warned service members that they “may soon be asked to carry out unlawful commands” and insisted it was their “constitutional duty” to resist.

     But when pressed by reporters over the last several days to specify what illegal orders they were referencing, none of the six could name an example. Some deflected, suggesting they were “responding to concerns within the military community,” while others shifted the conversation to what they described as “a dangerous political climate.”

DOJ Concern Over Implications For Military Order and National Security;

     Justice Department officials say the central concern is not merely the content of the video, but its implications for military readiness and chain-of-command integrity. Former Pentagon and DOJ attorneys have noted that calls urging troops to preemptively question orders, without citing a specific action or supporting evidence, can erode discipline, morale, and public trust in the armed forces.

     A DOJ source confirmed that investigators are examining whether the video constitutes improper interference with military duties, potential incitement, or an attempt to sow doubt within the ranks for political gain. No formal charges have been filed, and officials emphasize the interviews are preliminary fact-finding.

Reactions On Capitol Hill;

     Reaction across Congress has been swift and polarized. Republican lawmakers have accused the six Democrats of “dangerously flirting with sedition” and “weaponizing fear to delegitimize the Commander-in-Chief.”

     Some moderate Democrats have privately expressed frustration, with one senior Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, calling the video “reckless, unnecessary, and politically disastrous.” Several Democrats, however, have defended the lawmakers’ right to voice concerns, arguing they were acting “in the spirit of oversight,” though they stopped short of endorsing the video’s language.

White House Response;

     Although President Trump has called out the lawmakers, the White House has avoided direct confrontation, but called the message “irresponsible.” A senior administration official stated that no illegal orders have been issued, considered, or drafted, adding that “the Armed Forces operate strictly within the law, and any claim to the contrary should be backed by evidence, not speculation.” 

What Comes Next;

     The interviews mark the DOJ’s first formal step in determining whether the lawmakers’ statements crossed any legal lines. Legal experts expect the DOJ will scrutinize whether the group coordinated the message with outside organizations, whether they consulted legal counsel prior to releasing the video, and whether the statements were intended to influence active-duty personnel in a way that violates federal statutes.

     Congressional aides say the lawmakers intend to cooperate with investigators, though several have retained private counsel.

     For now, the DOJ has not signaled a timeline for the completion of its review.

Editor’s Note;

This article is based on statements from Justice Department officials, congressional aides, prior public comments made by the six lawmakers, and reactions from both political parties. All information reflects the situation as of November 25, 2025. Englebrook Independent News remains committed to fact-based, evidence-supported reporting without political affiliation or bias.