Trump's response to Rep. Crow's video was completely unhinged (Opinion)
Trump’s post called the lawmakers’ conduct seditious and raised the prospect of execution.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Denver Post is an established regional newspaper with a recognizable editorial operation and an identified author. This is an explicitly labeled opinion column, so its institutional credibility does not make the argument equivalent to independently verified reporting.
- Source type — Established regional newspaper with a substantial editorial operation.
- Author attribution — The column names Megan Schrader and identifies her as the newspaper’s opinion editor.
- Editorial standards — The publisher is an established newspaper, though this article is opinion rather than straight reporting.
The column identifies the central video and quotes the participants and Trump, but it primarily argues a position rather than documenting claims with independent sources. It offers little response from the administration and presents its legal comparisons and assertions without much supporting detail.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is a one-sided opinion column that forcefully condemns Trump and supports the lawmakers’ warning. It briefly reports Johnson’s criticism of the video but does not develop the administration’s perspective or a counterargument.
- Counterarguments presented — Johnson’s criticism is quoted briefly, but no fuller counterargument or response from Trump is provided.
- Loaded language — The author uses strongly condemnatory language about Trump and his response.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is explicitly an opinion column and argues for a clear conclusion.
- Source diversity — The argument relies mainly on the author’s interpretation and the quoted lawmakers’ video.
The column takes a strongly critical position toward Trump, using condemnatory language and presenting Crow’s video as a justified response to a dangerous threat. Its framing is openly argumentative rather than politically neutral.
- Language tone — Calls Trump’s response “unhinged” and describes him as having “no decency” and “no moral compass.”
- Framing — Frames Trump’s response as authoritarian and as a radical, unacceptable escalation.
- Source selection — The column develops Schrader’s own argument and does not present a substantive response from Trump or his administration.
Denver Post opinion editor Megan Schrader condemns President Donald Trump’s response to a video in which Rep. Jason Crow and other lawmakers reminded service members they may refuse illegal orders. She argues that Trump’s threat against Crow was a dangerous escalation and raises concerns about military orders and the law.
Schrader says Crow joined six other current or former service members in Congress in a video telling military and intelligence personnel they can and must refuse illegal orders. She connects the video to reported boat bombings in international waters and argues that military personnel must follow the Constitution and the law before commanders’ orders.
Schrader describes Trump’s social media response as threatening Crow with arrest, trial and execution, and calls it an unacceptable escalation. She also notes that House Speaker Mike Johnson called Crow’s message “dangerous” and “unprecedented in American history,” while Schrader argues that the message was warranted by concerns about presidential authority and military conduct.
Community verdict
16 VOTES
Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 23
- Readers of left-leaning coverage: 21% good look
- Readers of right-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
Votes cast on this page
Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0
People in this story
SWIPE →president whose social media response to the lawmakers’ video is condemned by the author
Colorado representative who appeared in the video urging service members to refuse illegal orders
Crow's version of this story ↗
House Speaker who criticized the lawmakers’ video
Part of a bigger story
20 OUTLETSOutlets agree Trump responded to a video by six Democratic lawmakers urging service members to refuse illegal orders by calling their conduct seditious and saying it was punishable by death. Left-leaning outlets portray the remarks as threats that endanger lawmakers and fault Republicans for not speaking out. Center outlets largely report the dispute, lawmakers’ responses and security concerns, though some opinion coverage sharply condemns Trump. Right-leaning outlets split between echoing Trump’s accusation or casting Democrats’ safety concerns as an overreaction and reporting criticism alongside Trump’s defense.
- ARTICLES
- 23
- OUTLETS
- 20
- AVG CRED
- 66
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