Principled Cowardice and the Seditious Six

 Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers, which encourages U. S. military personnel to disobey potentially illegal orders from President Trump. It analyzes the implications this has on military discipline and the constitutional order, raising concerns about accountability and the limits of political speech.

• Lawmakers' Video. Senators, including Mark Kelly, have sent a message to the military, urging them to question the legality of President Trump’s orders. This action is viewed as an attempt to erode military discipline.

• Response to the Incident. Andrew McCarthy criticizes the lawmakers' video as "craven," but believes that suggesting legal action against them is an overreach of executive power. He claims that the lawmakers' statements are protected under the Speech and Debate Clause, which grants them legislative immunity.

• Legal Accountability. The article argues that this immunity does not extend to aides and strategists involved in the video. If the video promotes insubordination, those who helped produce it could still be held accountable under the law.

• Consequences for Senate Members. The author asserts that if lawmakers question the President's orders, they should be obliged to justify their statements and potentially face repercussions. The article calls for self-discipline within the Senate, suggesting they should demand retractions or testimonies from the lawmakers involved.

• Concerns Over Lack of Action. The author expresses doubt that the Senate will take action against its members, criticizing the partisanship in Congress that hampers accountability. McCarthy's defense of the lawmakers is portrayed as undermining constitutional integrity.

• Issues of Political Speech. McCarthy is accused of mischaracterizing serious behavior as mere political discourse. The author warns against normalizing actions that could threaten the constitutional order and civil-military relations.

The article argues that when political speech crosses the line into inciting insubordination within the military, it raises serious legal and constitutional concerns. It critiques both the actions of the lawmakers and the responses from the political elite, calling for greater accountability and a return to commitment to the rule of law in America. The growing acceptance of such political rhetoric may lead to significant challenges to the existing governmental structure.

https://amgreatness.com/2025/12/02/principled-cowardice-and-the-seditious-six/