Donald Trump has reportedly backed away from an effort to prosecute six Democratic members of Congress after a federal grand jury refused to move forward with the case.
The situation began after several Democratic lawmakers released a video telling federal law enforcement officers and members of the military that they should refuse to obey illegal orders. The message focused on reminding government employees that they are bound by the Constitution and must not carry out actions that violate the law.
Trump reacted strongly to the video and accused the lawmakers of committing “sedition,” a serious crime involving attempts to overthrow the government. He even suggested harsh punishment, which drew sharp criticism from legal experts and political opponents who argued the lawmakers were simply exercising their First Amendment right to free speech.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., led by prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, attempted to seek indictments against the six Democrats. However, a federal grand jury — a group of citizens who review evidence to decide whether criminal charges should proceed — refused to approve the case. Such rejections are rare because prosecutors usually bring cases only when they believe charges can succeed.
After the grand jury declined to indict, prosecutors decided to drop the effort. While technically another federal prosecutor elsewhere could attempt to revive the case, there are currently no signs that anyone plans to do so.
The lawmakers targeted included Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, along with Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin. None of them were accused of violence or illegal activity. Their message centered on lawful conduct and constitutional responsibility, which legal analysts say falls within protected political speech.
Critics described the attempted prosecution as an abuse of power, arguing that criminal law should not be used to punish political disagreement. Supporters of the lawmakers pointed out that encouraging officials to reject unlawful orders is consistent with military and government training, which stresses obedience to the Constitution above any individual leader.
The episode comes just before Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, raising questions about whether he will mention the controversy or the lawmakers involved. Some of them are expected to attend the speech despite the recent tensions.
At the same time, Trump has continued to make strong statements about foreign policy. He recently said that military conflict with Iran remains a possibility, rejecting reports that U.S. military leaders were urging caution. He insisted that while he would prefer a diplomatic agreement, he is prepared to take military action if negotiations fail.
