President Donald Trump escalated political tension by stating that six Democratic members of Congress had engaged in actions that, in his view, could be considered treason, even mentioning the possibility of the death penalty. His comments were posted Thursday on the platform Truth Social, where he described the lawmakers as “traitors” and accused them of “incendiary behavior.”
The six legislators—three women and three men—had previously released a video urging active-duty military personnel and intelligence officers to reject any orders they believed to be illegal, reminding them that their oath requires defending the U.S. Constitution above all else. In their message, the lawmakers pointed to situations they viewed as problematic, such as the deployment of troops against protesters — a measure Trump used in previous instances — or proposals to authorize lethal force against suspected drug traffickers from Latin America, actions which, according to international organizations, could conflict with established legal standards.
At the White House, presidential adviser Stephen Miller accused the group of endorsing actions contrary to institutional stability. The lawmakers involved include Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA officer; Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy service member and astronaut; and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, all of whom have professional backgrounds in the military or security sectors.
The U.S. Constitution defines treason in very narrow terms and grants the courts full authority to determine responsibility and potential penalties, which may range from fines to the death penalty in exceptional cases. While the president can influence investigative priorities through policy directives, any formal accusation would require an independent judicial process.
In January, Trump signed an executive order calling for harsher punishment for what he described as “the most heinous crimes,” and he has already requested the death penalty in a specific case. The current situation renews debate over executive power, institutional independence, and the role of the military amid an increasingly polarized political climate.
