Congressman Williams Calls for DOJ and DOW Investigation into Democrats’ Video Urging Troops to Defy Orders
November 24, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) sent a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, demanding a full investigation into comments made by several Democratic lawmakers in a video that encourages enlisted members of the U.S. military to defy orders from their Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Trump.
In the letter, Congressman Williams writes that Senators and Representatives appeared to pressure service members to “disregard the chain of command,” undermining both the Constitution and military discipline. The letter specifically identifies Senators Kelly and Slotkin, and Representatives Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander, and Houlahan.
“Each of these elected officials took an oath before God and the American people to uphold the United States Constitution — a Constitution that clearly establishes the President's authority as Commander in Chief,” said Congressman Williams. “There is no stronger symbol of civilian control than the military answering to its Commander-in-Chief. Encouraging service members to ignore lawful orders is deeply dangerous.”
He continues, “The United States military is a nonpartisan institution that demands greatness from its warfighters—greatness that can only be achieved when soldiers put politics aside and serve together in defense of their nation."
The inquiry request comes amid heightened concern over threats to civil-military norms and cohesion. Congressman Williams emphasized that history warns of grave consequences when military loyalty fractures along ideological lines.
“These Members have urged our military to elevate their personal politics above duty and engage in blatant insubordination. History has shown that even the greatest of nations fall when their military acts on ideological division,” Williams said.
The letter calls on the Department of Justice and the War Department to investigate to examine whether the lawmakers’ statements constitute violations of federal law, including statutes governing unlawful command influence, incitement of insubordination within the Armed Forces, or other actions that undermine military order and discipline.
Click here to view the letter.
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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.
Issues:Military