FBI Reportedly Scheduling Interviews With Democratic Lawmakers Who Called On Military And Intelligence Officers To Reject Unlawful Orders

The FBI and the Department of Justice are scheduling interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who last week called on military and intelligence officers to reject orders they consider illegal, according to a new report.

Fox News detailed on Tuesday that the agencies have contacted Capitol Police to schedule the interviews with Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, as well as Reps. Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow. All of them have military and intelligence backgrounds and said in a recent video that "our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders."

Trump has lashed out at the lawmakers, saying they engaged in "seditious behavior" that is "punishable by DEATH!"

Mark Kelly has been particularly targeted, with the Defense Department and Secretary Pete Hegseth saying he could be court martialed.

Hegseth said that "five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under @DeptofWar jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not 'retired', so they are no longer subject to UCMJ).

"However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ—and he knows that," he said. Kelly has rejected the notion, claiming that Trump and other officials are inciting violence against him.

Speaking to Rachel Maddow on MS Now on Tuesday, Kelly was asked if the situation makes him stressed.

"I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I've been nearly shot down multiple times. I've flown a rocket ship into space 4 times built by the lowest bidder. And my wife, Gabby Giffords, meeting with her constituents, shot in the head. Six people killed around her, a horrific thing. She spent six months in the hospital. We know what political violence is and we know what causes it too, The statements that Donald Trump made incites others," Kelly said.

He went on to note that Trump has "millions of supporters" and "people listen to what he says," so he "should be careful with his words." "I'm not going to be silenced here. Is it stressful? I've been stressed by things more important than Trump trying to intimidate me into shutting my mouth," Kelly added.

Kelly, who retired as a captain, said he heard about the investigation through Hegseth's post. "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work," the senator claimed. "I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."

The call has received criticism from Democrats but also Republican Rep. Don Bacon, who on Tuesday slammed the development in a social media publication.

"Amateur hour once again" at the Department of Defense, Bacon said in a social media publication. "I thought the video by six Dems was unnecessary and foolish. But the threats of sedition charges and courts martial in response are also crazy. Let's show some common sense and restraint," he added.