00:02This morning, six congressional Democrats who recorded videos telling military members
00:07they have a right to refuse illegal orders will not face criminal charges after a federal
00:13grand jury declined to indict them. The Justice Department had sought charges arguing the
00:18lawmakers encouraged insubordination, disloyalty, or refusal of duty within the military. But the
00:25grand jury rejected the case. Those names in the investigation include Senators Mark Kelly
00:30and Alyssa Slotkin, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander,
00:36and Chrissy Houlihan. President Trump had called their actions seditious and urged that they be
00:41arrested. After the decision, Slotkin accused the president of weaponizing the justice system
00:47against political opponents. Kelly called the probe an outrageous abuse of power. The video was posted
00:53in November after the Trump administration began targeting suspected drug smuggling boats in the
00:58Caribbean, and as the president threatened to deploy troops to major U.S. cities, including Chicago.
01:05Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the video created confusion within the ranks.
01:10For Senator Kelly, the matter is not entirely closed. The Pentagon is still moving to downgrade his Navy
01:16rank and reduce his retirement pay. Kelly has filed suit against the defense secretary. That case is now
01:22pending.
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