Sen. Thom Tillis praised a Washington, D.C., grand jury decision not to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse what they called “illegal orders.” The North Carolina Republican framed the outcome as a rejection of “political lawfare” and said the practice damages trust in the justice system.
The decision follows a Justice Department push to bring criminal charges tied to a video the lawmakers released last year. The grand jury declined to return indictments, an unusual outcome given how often prosecutors secure them.
A rare grand jury rebuff in Washington
The lawmakers targeted for indictment were Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Reps. Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan. All have military or intelligence backgrounds, according to multiple reports.
Prosecutors had examined whether the video crossed criminal lines related to military discipline or loyalty. The grand jury declined to proceed.
Tillis calls it “political lawfare”
Tillis, who has at times broken with the Trump administration, said on X that “political lawfare waged by either side” is harmful. He argued the jury recognized the attempted indictments for what they were and urged an end to such tactics.
His comments put a Republican voice alongside Democrats who have criticized the investigation as politically motivated.
What the Democrats said about refusing “illegal orders”
In the video, the lawmakers told service members they can refuse illegal orders and, in some cases, must refuse them. Their message centered on the idea that troops are not required to follow commands they believe violate the Constitution.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ, is the set of laws that governs the U.S. armed forces and outlines duties and offenses for service members. Reports note it requires obedience to lawful orders and recognizes that unlawful orders should not be carried out.
Trump’s reaction and the fallout
The video drew a fierce response from President Donald Trump, who publicly accused the group of seditious behavior, according to reporting.
After the grand jury declined to indict, the lawmakers praised the decision and framed it as a win for free speech and constitutional limits on government power.
For now, the grand jury’s refusal ends this charging attempt against the six lawmakers. It also sharpens a broader political fight over whether the Justice Department is being used as a tool against opponents, a charge Tillis said should not become normal in American public life.