FBI to question Dems who urged troops to defy illegal orders
Slotkin said the FBI inquiry into the lawmakers appeared intended to intimidate them after their video about illegal orders.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe New York Daily News is an established regional newspaper with a record of newsroom reporting and an identified author. This article attributes key claims and includes named officials’ statements, though the page provides limited detail about the FBI inquiry.
- Source type — An established newspaper with a substantial newsroom and regional reporting history.
- Editorial standards — The reporting attributes claims to lawmakers and officials rather than presenting them all as established fact.
- Author attribution — The article names its author.
- Transparency — The article identifies public statements and social media posts but gives limited sourcing detail about the FBI inquiry itself.
The article provides direct statements from lawmakers and FBI Director Kash Patel, but it does not explain the basis for the FBI inquiry or include a detailed response from the bureau or administration. The Pentagon investigation is also described largely through public announcements and Kelly’s account.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article includes the lawmakers’ objections, Trump’s earlier denunciation, and Patel’s statement about FBI procedures. It does not provide a specific FBI or administration explanation for the inquiry, leaving the central dispute only partly answered.
- Counterarguments presented — Patel describes the bureau’s general standard for opening inquiries, but no specific justification for this inquiry is given.
- Source diversity — The article draws on lawmakers’ statements, Trump’s comments, and Patel’s remarks, but most detail comes from the lawmakers.
- Loaded language — Some descriptive wording is pointed, though most critical characterizations are attributed to speakers.
The article uses a largely straight-news style, attributing criticism and allegations to the lawmakers and reporting Patel’s general explanation of how inquiry decisions are made. Its wording is somewhat sharper in describing Trump’s reaction, but the overall framing does not establish a discernible partisan lean.
- Language tone — Mostly factual and attributed, with phrases such as “lashed out” describing Trump’s response.
- Source selection — Quotes lawmakers and Patel, but gives little direct response from the FBI or administration to the specific inquiry.
- Framing — Centers the inquiry and the lawmakers’ criticism while also including the FBI director’s general account of investigative decisions.
The FBI is seeking to question six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video telling service members to refuse illegal orders. Sen. Elissa Slotkin called the inquiry an attempt to intimidate the group, while Sen. Mark Kelly also faces a Pentagon investigation.
The FBI’s counterterrorism division sent a note to the six lawmakers indicating it was opening what Slotkin described as an inquiry. The lawmakers had appeared in a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to follow the law and refuse illegal orders. President Trump had called them “traitors” and said their actions were “punishable by death.”
The Pentagon separately announced an investigation of Kelly over alleged misconduct and possible violations of military law. Kelly said he learned of that investigation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s social media post. FBI Director Kash Patel said decisions about whether to open inquiries are made by career agents and analysts based on whether there is a lawful predicate.
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People in this story
SWIPE →Michigan senator and one of the lawmakers featured in the video and facing an FBI inquiry
Arizona senator and one of the lawmakers featured in the video; the Pentagon announced an investigation of him
Kelly's version of this story ↗President who condemned the lawmakers’ video
Defense secretary whose social media post announced the Pentagon investigation of Kelly
Pennsylvania representative who appeared in the video
New Hampshire representative who appeared in the video
Pennsylvania representative who appeared in the video
Colorado representative who appeared in the video
Part of a bigger story
5 OUTLETS- ARTICLES
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- AVG CRED
- 74
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