Trump hints at charges for Dems in viral video: 'Do what has to be done'

President Donald Trump this week appeared to endorse bringing charges against a group of Democrats who appeared in a viral video urging military personnel to ignore "illegal" orders from the president.

"There are laws that impact our Nation. Read Title 18, Chapter 115, Section 2387, 'Whoever with the intent to interfere, impair, influence the loyalty, moral[e] or discipline of the military and Naval Forces,……to be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years.' Commander Kirk Lippold, U.S. Navy, Ret," Trump posted on Truth Social. "This is right on point. DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE!!!"

Trump's post refers to the United States Code, which assigns the penalty.

Though Trump did not name any particular target for charges, his comments come amid backlash against the Democratic lawmakers who participated in the video, which preceded an attack by an Afghan national on two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., all appeared in the video.

The Pentagon has already announced an investigation into Kelly, while the FBI and Department of Justice have opened probes into the entire group.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.