Part 5/11:

The backlash, particularly from President Trump, was swift and intense, with posts on Truth Social condemning the lawmakers as traitors and even suggesting that sedicious behavior should be punishable by death. Such remarks have unearthed a fierce debate about the boundaries of free speech for elected officials, especially those with military backgrounds.

The Department of War reiterated that service members are legally obligated to obey lawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The department emphasized that illegal orders—such as asking someone to drive a car without lawful reason or to commit a crime—must be disobeyed and that soldiers could be prosecuted if they follow unlawful commands.