Stephen Miller erupted in fury against six lawmakers who urged U.S. military and intelligence personnel to refuse potentially illegal presidential commands, accusing them of stoking "insurrection" and demanding they "resign in disgrace."
Speaking on Fox News, the White House chief of staff described the lawmakers' video as a "general call for rebellion… from the CIA and the armed services." He declared emphatically, "It is insurrection, plainly, directly, without question."
The six lawmakers—who include Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) — released a video reminding service members that their allegiance is to the Constitution, not the president. In the video, they repeatedly stressed, "Our laws are clear" and "You can refuse illegal orders."
Miller didn't mince words, stating, "There is nothing graver… than encouraging, urging, directing members of the Armed Forces… to defy their president."
The lawmakers fired back. Slotkin argued that reminding troops of their duty was "the law passed down from our founding fathers," telling Miller to "buff up" on military code.
Kelly, a retired Navy captain, responded directly: "I got shot at serving our country in combat… I know the difference between defending our Constitution and insurrection."
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added fuel to the fire, calling the video "alarming" and a "disgusting and inappropriate display of supposed leadership." He dramatically claimed, "I felt like I was watching a propaganda video by one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies."
Miller escalated his rhetoric, claiming Democrats "don't believe in systems… don't believe in rules… don't believe in laws" and had embraced "Third World" tactics.
The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding potential presidential overreach and military accountability, with both sides claiming to defend constitutional principles.