Deluzio: Trump admin. abused its power in probe of ‘illegal orders’ video
By TOM FONTAINE
TribLive
Lawmakers targeted by the Justice Department after releasing a video telling service members they have an obligation to refuse illegal orders said Wednesday they haven’t ruled out taking action against the Trump administration for “weaponizing the government” against them.
“I’m not going to litigate and share our legal strategy here. There will be consequences, and they should be preserving documents preparing for what’s coming,” U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, said during a news conference in Washington.
On Tuesday, a grand jury in Washington rejected an attempt by federal prosecutors to indict Deluzio and five other members of Congress for releasing the 90-second video in November.
The lawmakers did not cite any specific orders that they thought were illegal and should be ignored, but the video came out as the administration’s decisions to send military troops to U.S. cities and conduct military strikes on suspected drug traffickers faced intense scrutiny.
While the lawmakers — all former members of the military or intelligence community — maintained that the obligation to refuse illegal orders is established military protocol, the video drew immediate backlash from President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Trump argued that the video amounted to “seditious behavior” and could be “punishable by death.” He said each of the lawmakers should be arrested and put on trial.
The grand jury in Washington disagreed.
“The Trump administration and their allies in the Justice Department tried to charge us with a crime and throw us in prison for stating the law … for saying things they don’t like,” Deluzio said during Wednesday’s news conference.
“Patriotism demands courage in this moment, in the face of those who would abuse our liberty, who would abuse their power, who would take away our freedom,” added Deluzio, a former Navy officer who is in his second term representing part of Allegheny County and all of Beaver County.
“I have great faith in the American people, I have great faith in our Constitution, and I have little doubt that Donald Trump and those around him are willing to abuse their power. We’ve seen it with us, with other perceived political opponents,” Deluzio said. “There has to be accountability and there has to be justice. And I know all of us will see that through.”
U.S. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger and officer, said members of the administration who targeted the six lawmakers “cannot hide and escape accountability,” adding, “Justice is coming.”
