Watchdog files bar complaint against Pirro over efforts to indict Democrats for video urging troops to resist illegal orders
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-08-25 13:27:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Accuses Democratic Lawmakers of Sedition, Calls for Death Penalty in Social Media Post
President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition, stating on social media that their actions were “punishable by DEATH.” This accusation came after the lawmakers appeared in a video urging U.S. service members to resist unlawful orders and follow established military protocols. All six lawmakers have prior service in the military or intelligence agencies.
Legal Actions and Bar Complaints
The Legal Accountability Center has filed bar complaints against U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and two of her subordinates, alleging they abused their prosecutorial powers by seeking “meritless” indictments against what the watchdog described as Trump’s “perceived political enemies.” The grand jury in Washington ultimately refused to indict the lawmakers, a decision described as extraordinarily rare but increasingly common during Trump’s second term.
Politically Motivated Prosecutions
Critics argue that Pirro, acting at Trump’s behest, has pursued other legally dubious and politically motivated cases, including a recently abandoned felony charge against a former Olympian. The Legal Accountability Center’s complaint asserts that there was no legal basis for the attempt to indict the six lawmakers, and that the effort was driven by “political animus and a desire to intimidate perceived enemies of the federal government and the President.”
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s claim that the lawmakers’ actions amounted to sedition “punishable by DEATH” is not supported by the grand jury, which refused to bring charges. The lawmakers’ video called for adherence to lawful orders, not insubordination or sedition. The watchdog group and other legal experts have criticized the use of prosecutorial power to target political opponents, raising concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department under Trump’s administration.
Conclusion
President Trump’s public accusation of sedition against Democratic lawmakers, and his call for the death penalty, represent a significant escalation in rhetoric against his political opponents. The refusal of the grand jury to indict, and the subsequent bar complaints against the prosecutors involved, highlight ongoing concerns about the use of the justice system for political purposes. This episode underscores the importance of independent legal judgment and the dangers of allowing political demands to drive criminal prosecutions.