After President Donald Trump called for the execution of Democratic lawmakers on social media, some Republican members of Congress are uncomfortable taking a hard stance on the matter when asked by Raw Story.
Trump's anger stemmed from a video in which half a dozen Democratic senators and representatives with a background in military service reminded active-duty troops that they have an obligation, under both the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to refuse illegal orders even from the president himself. This reminder comes as legal experts rebuke Trump's orders, including the deployment of National Guard to American cities and the military targeting of alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela.
"I thought [Democrats] video was cowardly, foolish, it was dangerous," Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) told Raw Story. But when asked his stance on Trump calling for those Democrats' execution, he replied, "I haven't seen his reaction so I'm not going to comment on it ... I usually don't comment on things I haven't seen yet."
When Rep. Dan Meuser (R-NY) was also pressed on whether Trump's comments could trigger violent threats against members, he said he hoped not — but was quick to argue "the left" was at least as responsible.
"We've been seeing that, and I completely denounce anything of that nature," said Meuser. "So no, I certainly don't expect that will occur, hope it doesn't occur, and we can't have, you know, language that leads to, hostile language that leads to violence. Which by the way, once again, how many times are we going to see it before we admit and acknowledge that the left's language has caused incredible levels of violence. Half my friends in tough areas ... have security details, okay?"
Meanwhile, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), one of the six who delivered the original video, made clear he wasn't backing down.
"I won't allow myself to be intimidated and to back away from by Constitutional oath," he said. "I served my country, I went to war three times for this country. That is a lifetime oath. And I will do anything and everything necessary to maintain my fidelity to the Constitution."
