The saga of the six congressional Democrats who urged active-duty military members to consider disobeying orders from President Donald Trump continued Tuesday with the announcement that the FBI has opened an inquiry into their actions.
All six, including New Hampshire Democrat Rep. Maggie Goodlander, are veterans of either the military or the intelligence community.
Reuters quotes a Department of Justice official speaking on background, saying FBI interviews with the lawmakers were to determine “if there’s any wrongdoing, and then go from there.”
News of the FBI’s investigation comes after the Pentagon said it is reviewing allegations of potential misconduct against U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a former U.S. Navy captain. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Kelly could be called back into active duty to face a potential court-martial if the Navy believes he violated the UCMJ.
If the Pentagon attempts to recall Kelly to active duty, the theoretical charges reviewed would most likely be:
Article 88 – Contempt toward officials
Article 92 – Encouraging disobedience of lawful orders/dereliction
Article 94 – Mutiny or sedition (very high threshold)
Article 134 – Service-discrediting conduct
Goodlander joined fellow House Democrats Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) in releasing a joint statement.
“President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress. Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting an interview,” they wrote.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.”
A new St. Anslem College poll taken before the video was released found Goodlander’s support in the Granite State has fallen significantly in recent months, from +11 in August to just +1 (40 to 39 percent) in November.
Goodlander has been repeatedly asked to name an unlawful order issued by Trump or his administration, and she has declined every request. Kelly acknowledged no such order has been given, but says the video was still needed.
“You don’t want to wait for your kid to get hit by a car before you tell them to look both ways,” Kelly said.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has labeled Goodlander and her fellow Democrats the “Seditious Six.” He calls their message to the troops “despicable, reckless, and false.”
“Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their commanders undermines every aspect of ‘good order and discipline.’ Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion — which only puts our warriors in danger,” Hegseth added.
The FBI is coordinating with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms to schedule interviews with the lawmakers, Reuters reported. A Justice Department official told Reuters the goal is “to determine if there’s any wrongdoing, and then go from there.”
