Trump 'Called For My Death By Hanging,' Houlahan Responds
WEST CHESTER, PA — U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan says that President Trump's remarks alleging "seditious" behavior from her and other members of Congress was a clear call for her execution.
"There's no way to spin it," Houlahan said Friday. "The President called for my death by hanging. Because my colleagues and I reminded our military of their oath to the Constitution."
It's the latest fallout from a video which Houlahan and five other U.S. representatives issued to members of the armed forces on Thursday. Amid the Trump administration's threats to expand the deployment of the U.S. National Guard in American cities, the video called on the military to remember their oath and refuse any "illegal" orders.
"We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now," the group stated. "Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders."
Trump initially accused the lawmakers
"This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country," Trump wrote. "Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT."
"The fact that the President responded with threats is really chilling," Houlahan said on Friday. "And reveals far more about his authoritarian instincts than it does about anything we say. In fact, he made our case for us...political intimidation and threats of violence are not leadership, and they will not silence those of us who believe in the rule of law and who actually respect our military."
She then once again addressed the military, as she had in the original video.
"Your oath is to the Constitution, not to any one individual."
The video did not appear to be in response to any one single event or executive order from Trump, but rather was issued in the context of growing fears from the left over his unilateral strikes on drug cartels abroad, and the role that U.S. troops have played in enforcement of his immigration agenda. The legality of both has been as vociferously challenged by Democrats in the courts and it has bee fiercely defended by the Trump administration.
In addition to Houlahan, the members of the House of Representatives involved included Chris Deluzio of Allegheny County, Jason Crow of Colorado, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire,. U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona also appeared in the video.
All six are either military veterans or worked in intelligence circles before taking office.
With reporting from Patch correspondent Eric Heyl
