Photo: U.S. Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado speaks in a video he posted to social media on November 20, 2025, addressing President Donald Trump’s threat to have him “arrested and executed.” (Screenshot from Rep. Jason Crow X)
This story by Lindsey Toomer appeared on Colorado Newsline on November 20, 2025.
President Donald Trump threatened U.S. Rep. Jason Crow and other Democratic members of Congress with arrest and execution for a video in which they say members of the military and intelligence community should refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump said “Their words cannot be allowed to stand,” and it is “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Rep. Crow, an Aurora Democrat who is a former Army Ranger, and other members of Congress with experience in the military or intelligence said service members and intelligence community members have the right to refuse illegal orders under the U.S. Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, said in the video.
The video is titled, “Don’t give up the ship,” a military motto that dates to the War of 1812.
A spokesperson for Crow said his office has seen an uptick in threats following the video and Trump’s posts.
“It’s very telling that President Trump and those around him think it’s criminal simply for asking people to follow the law,” Crow said in his own video released Thursday. “This moment requires moral clarity. Every American, regardless of your background, should unite and reject his calls for political violence.”
Democrats in the video include Crow, Kelly, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, U.S. Rep. Chris DeLuzio of Pennsylvania, U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.
“Our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty,” the group said in a joint statement. “But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence.”
In an interview with Fox News, Crow said Trump “has made a series of very disturbing comments and suggestions that would violate U.S. law and put our military in terrible positions.” He said the “Don’t give up the ship” video serves as a reminder to troops of their obligation to decline unlawful orders before they happen, “because then it’ll be too late.” That includes sending troops to U.S. cities “to go to war with those cities” and polling stations. He referred to “illegal military strikes” in a post on X.
A Bronze Star recipient who achieved the rank of captain, Crow served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib said Trump’s threats to members of Congress are “dangerous, unhinged and unworthy of the office of the President of the United States.”
“We commend Congressman Crow for continuing to show unimpeachable and honorable courage, integrity and leadership in the face of such radical behavior from the president,” Murib said in a statement. “As a veteran and a public servant, he knows more than most the meaning of pledging an oath of duty to their country — certainly more than a five-time draft dodger that our president is.”
Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com.