A federal grand jury has declined to indict Democratic lawmakers who posted a video urging service members and intelligence officials to disobey any illegal orders from the Trump administration, according to two people familiar with the matter.

A federal grand jury has declined to indict Democratic lawmakers who posted a video urging service members and intelligence officials to disobey any illegal orders from the Trump administration, according to two people familiar with the matter.

A federal grand jury has declined to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who posted a video encouraging service members and intelligence officials to refuse any illegal orders issued by the Trump administration, according to two individuals familiar with the matter.

The decision follows months of scrutiny after critics argued that the video, released on social media earlier this year, could be interpreted as undermining the chain of command. In the recording, the lawmakers emphasized that members of the military and intelligence community swear an oath to the Constitution and are obligated to reject unlawful directives. They did not call for disobedience of lawful orders.

Federal prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury to determine whether the video constituted a violation of federal law, including statutes related to incitement or interference with government operations. After reviewing the evidence, the grand jury declined to return an indictment, effectively ending the investigation for now.

Legal experts note that U.S. military law and longstanding precedent require service members to refuse unlawful orders, a principle established in both domestic military codes and international law. Supporters of the lawmakers argued that the video reiterated this obligation rather than encouraging insubordination.

Opponents, however, contended that the timing and political context of the message risked sowing confusion within the ranks. The Justice Department has not issued a public statement detailing its reasoning, and representatives for the lawmakers declined to comment beyond reaffirming their commitment to constitutional principles.

The outcome underscores the high bar prosecutors face in bringing charges involving political speech, particularly when it intersects with constitutionally protected expression.