The FBI has initiated interviews with six Democratic lawmakers following their appearance in a video advising U.S. military personnel to refuse unlawful orders.
This action follows accusations from President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeling the lawmakers' statements as seditious.
The lawmakers, all military veterans, include Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan.
The video emphasized that troops swear allegiance to the Constitution, not the president, and must adhere only to lawful directives.
The lawmakers have characterized the administration's moves as intimidation tactics aimed at silencing dissent.
They maintain that their message accurately reflects U.S. law and military regulations.
Kelly, a retired Navy captain, faces potential recall to active duty and court-martial for alleged violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Hegseth criticized Kelly's display of medals, noting errors in uniform presentation.
Deluzio reported receiving death threats after Trump's social media posts accusing the group of sedition.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice includes penalties for sedition among troops, potentially up to death, while civilians face seditious conspiracy charges with a maximum of 20 years.
The video emerged amid Democratic worries over the Trump administration's military actions, including airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in Latin American waters.
These strikes, conducted without congressional authorization, have raised questions about their legality, with the Pentagon justifying them by classifying drug smugglers as terrorists.
Concerns also extend to the use of military forces in American cities.
A group of Democratic senators, including Kelly and Slotkin, requested declassification of a Justice Department legal opinion on the strikes' basis.
The administration has pursued charges against other critics, though some cases were dismissed.
Trump has pardoned individuals convicted in relation to the January 6 Capitol attack.