Washington, D.C. – November 26, 2025 — The FBI has requested interviews with four Democratic representatives in connection with a video featuring lawmakers with military backgrounds, drawing sharp criticism from the participants, who view the move as political intimidation. The development comes amid escalating tensions, with President Donald Trump labeling the video “seditious” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referring to the group as the “Seditious Six.”
Representatives Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Jason Crow of Colorado, and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania—all Democrats with national security and military experience—confirmed they had been contacted by the FBI. The requests relate to a video they produced with Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, both fellow Democrats with similar backgrounds.
In the video, the six lawmakers emphasize their oaths to the U.S. Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, framing their message as a reaffirmation of democratic principles. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the FBI’s interest stems from concerns raised by the Trump administration about the implications of the video’s content.
President Trump publicly condemned the video as an act of sedition, escalating the rhetoric around what the lawmakers describe as a nonpartisan call to duty. Defense Secretary Hegseth went further, coining the term “Seditious Six” to describe the group, while the Pentagon has launched a formal review of Senator Kelly’s actions, given his status as a former astronaut and Navy veteran.
The lawmakers involved have strongly pushed back against the FBI’s requests. In a joint statement, they rejected the outreach as an attempt at intimidation, asserting that their video was intended to reinforce core American values rather than undermine them. “We stand firm on our message,” the statement read. “This is nothing more than an effort to silence voices committed to the rule of law.”
The controversy is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened partisan divides. Critics of the administration argue that the FBI’s involvement represents an overreach into protected political speech, while supporters contend that the video’s military themes warrant scrutiny to ensure no violations of service-related codes.
As of now, none of the lawmakers have agreed to interviews, and it remains unclear whether the FBI will pursue further action. The Pentagon’s review of Senator Kelly is ongoing, with no timeline provided for its conclusion.
