DOJ, FBI Launch Investigation Into ‘Seditious Six’ Democrats, Interviews Set To Begin

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the “Seditious Six,” the Democrats who urged service members to disregard what they called illegal orders from the Trump administration, The Daily Wire has learned. The FBI is now scheduling interviews with the members of Congress involved.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared in a video urging service members and intelligence officers to “refuse illegal orders.”

Both the DOJ and the FBI confirmed to The Daily Wire that they are scheduling interviews with these lawmakers, none of whom responded to The Daily Wire’s requests for comment.

“We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe,” the lawmakers said in the video, and:

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution. Right now, threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.”

“Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution. We know this is hard, and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant. But whether you are serving in the CIA, the army, or navy, the air force, your vigilance is critical. Know that we have your back, because now, more than ever, the American people need you.”

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the lawmakers should be arrested and tried for “seditious behavior,” saying their actions were “punishable by death.” The president later clarified that he was “not threatening death” to the lawmakers, but rather pointing out the severity of their conduct.

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has also denounced the video, calling it “despicable.” Hegseth, who coined the term “Seditious Six” to describe the Democratic lawmakers, argued that while the video may seem harmless to civilians, “it carries a different weight inside the military.” 

“This was a politically-motivated influence operation: It never named a specific ‘illegal order.’ It created ambiguity rather than clarity,” he said. “It used carefully scripted, legal-sounding language. It subtly reframed military obedience around partisan distrust instead of established legal processes.”

“In the military, vague rhetoric and ambiguity undermines trust, creates hesitation in the chain of command, and erodes cohesion,” Hegseth warned. “The military already has clear procedures for handling unlawful orders. It does not need political actors injecting doubt into an already clear chain of command. As veterans of various sorts, the Seditious Six knew exactly what they were doing — sowing doubt through a politically-motivated influence operation. The [Department of War] won’t fall for it or stand for it.”

On Monday, the Department of War singled out Kelly, stating that it had “received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.).” Kelly is still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice because he is a retired Naval officer.

“In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures,” the War Department said. “This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality.”

Meanwhile, Kelly and his fellow Democrats argue that the president and the War Department seek to intimidate them from encouraging troops to disobey “illegal” orders — though on Monday, Sen. Slotkin admitted on ABC News that she could not cite any illegal order issued by Trump.

“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,” Kelly said in a post that described his service in the United States Navy. “I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.”

Donald Trump can try to intimidate me, but it’s not going to work. My job is to defend the Constitution and hold any president accountable. pic.twitter.com/FzfW8qQz5f

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) November 25, 2025

The lawmakers released a joint statement on November 20, saying in response to Trump: “This isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.”

“In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated,” they argued, adding, as they did in the closure of their video: “Don’t Give Up the Ship!”