Donald Trump, who routinely accuses his political opponents of fomenting political violence, on Thursday amplified calls for prominent Democrats to be hanged.

Specifically, the president demanded that a group of six lawmakers, all of whom either served in the military or worked in the intelligence community, be “locked up” and face trial for “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”

So, what, exactly, was their “crime” worthy of the death penalty?

They made a video he didn’t like.

Earlier this week, Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), as well as Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Jason Crow (D-CO), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) appeared in a clip in which they addressed servicemembers and intelligence officers directly to remind them that they do not have to obey unlawful orders.

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.Don’t give up the ship.

— Senator Elissa Slotkin (@slotkin.senate.gov) 2025-11-18T13:31:25.167Z

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk,” the lawmakers said in the video. “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.”

There is nothing wrong with any of that.

According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, soldiers face a court-martial if they fail to obey lawful orders.

The key word is “lawful.” If servicemembers carry out unconstitutional or otherwise illegal orders, they could be held liable.

The Democrats’ concern seems pertinent.

Using manufactured emergencies, Trump has been trying to deploy the military inside the United States, which will put soldiers in situations that could place them on shaky legal ground, for example when they are asked to use force against Americans or make arrests.

And it is especially relevant today, which happens to be the 80th anniversary of the start of the Nuremberg Trials, during which Nazi leaders, most of whom claimed that they were “just following orders,” were held to account for the crimes they committed during the Third Reich. Ultimately, 37 of them were sentenced to death.

In Donald Trump’s ideal America, that would apparently also be the penalty for simply stating what the law is.

“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL,” the president stated in one of several social media posts he either wrote or reposted. “Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”

While Trump is a convicted felon, has been charged with various crimes (including those related to his coup attempt), and was found liable for sexual abuse, he had demonstrated many times that he is hardly a legal scholar.

Then again, he doesn’t have to be. After all, he has filled the key positions in the Department of Justice with loyalists who have shown that they will do his bidding instead of acting by the book.

More than anything, Trump’s unhinged behavior shows that things aren’t going his way right now.

Americans don’t like him, prices are on the rise, and judges keep ruling against his policies.

And now, after years of ruling the GOP with an iron fist, Republicans are beginning to defy him, for example, when they voted this week to release the Epstein files.

This, by the way, just like making a video, earned one of them, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) the “traitor” label.

So, is Trump losing it?

That would mean that he ever had “it,” which we doubt.

But maybe his behavior will allow more Americans, especially his supporters, to realize that he is not exactly stable, and that his volatility is a real problem.