Grand Jury Won’t Indict 6 Democrats In Military Video Case
4 weeks ago
A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers in connection with a video message they released urging U.S. military members to refuse “illegal orders,” according to people familiar with the matter.
The Justice Department had opened an investigation into the video, which featured Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin and four other Democratic members of Congress reminding service members to follow established military protocols and reject orders they believe to be unlawful.
Grand jurors refused to sign off on charges against the lawmakers — all of whom previously served in the military or intelligence agencies — marking a rare rebuke of prosecutors in politically charged cases.
The decision comes amid broader controversy over the government’s handling of the matter, which drew condemnation from some Democrats as an attempt to punish political opponents and sparked debate about free speech and military discipline.
No charges have been filed, and it remains unclear if prosecutors will try again.
The Justice Department had opened an investigation into the video, which featured Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin and four other Democratic members of Congress reminding service members to follow established military protocols and reject orders they believe to be unlawful.
Grand jurors refused to sign off on charges against the lawmakers — all of whom previously served in the military or intelligence agencies — marking a rare rebuke of prosecutors in politically charged cases.
The decision comes amid broader controversy over the government’s handling of the matter, which drew condemnation from some Democrats as an attempt to punish political opponents and sparked debate about free speech and military discipline.
No charges have been filed, and it remains unclear if prosecutors will try again.
