U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has called on six Democratic members of Congress to clarify their recent call for U.S. military and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.” The group—Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), along with Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colorado), Chris Deluzio (D-Pennsylvania), Maggie Goodlander (D-New Hampshire), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania)—released a video this week urging such action. All six lawmakers have prior experience in the military or intelligence community.
In a written statement, Graham addressed the group’s message: “You recently released a video in which you urged members of the U.S. military and Intelligence Community to ‘refuse illegal orders.’ You and your colleagues have each served our country in different capacities – from an intelligence analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, to Navy and Air Force officers and a U.S. Army Ranger – and that service is appreciated.”
Graham went on to express concern about the implications of their remarks. “However, to say that I am disturbed by your video encouraging service members and Intelligence Community professionals to refuse ‘unlawful orders’ is an understatement. In that regard, could you please provide clarity on what orders, issued by President Trump or those in his chain of command, you consider illegal?”
He added, “As a former Air Force Judge Advocate General, I take the issue of unlawful orders very seriously. I cannot find a single example of an illegal order during this administration, but as a Member of Congress, I believe you owe it to the country to be specific as to which orders you believe are unlawful.”
Graham concluded his request by stating: “I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your timely response.”
