Issue One condemns President Trump for accusing Democrats of “seditious behavior” for telling troops that their duty is to the Constitution

In response to today’s news that President Trump called six Democratic members of the House and Senate — all of whom are veterans — “traitors,”called for their deaths, and reposted a post calling for them to be hanged after they released a video reminding troops that their primary loyalty should be to the Constitution, Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser issued the following statement:

“Throughout our history, presidents of both parties have understood a simple truth: America’s democracy endures in part because our military remains outside of politics. Service members swear an oath to the Constitution, not to any individual — a boundary that has long been respected.

“Suggesting that political opponents should be tried for sedition or executed for urging military officers to reject illegal orders crosses a dangerous line. This kind of rhetoric is reckless. It politicizes the military — which goes against our country’s democratic norms and core values — and significantly increases the risk of political violence.

“The president must stop stoking our current divisions and start leading a nation that sorely needs unity, restraint, and real leadership. Members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats alike — must condemn this behavior and dangerous rhetoric.”