A CNN panel hosted by Abby Phillip erupted into a heated confrontation on Thursday, following former President Donald Trump's social media posts suggesting Democratic members of Congress, all military veterans, should face execution.
The Incendiary Comments and the Democratic Video
The controversy began when Trump decried what he called "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" from a group of Democratic lawmakers. The politicians in question were Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, alongside Representatives Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Jason Crow of Colorado.
Their alleged transgression was a video message directed at U.S. military service members. Trump claimed their actions were "punishable by death." However, the video in question, which Phillip played for her panel, contained a clear and specific message. The featured Democrats explicitly stated that service members "can refuse illegal orders" and that "no one has to carry out orders that violate the law."
A Clash of Perspectives on 'NewsNight'
Most analysts on the "NewsNight" panel agreed that Trump's rhetoric was both dangerous and egregious. They pointed out that the White House had falsely characterized the Democrats' video as a call to disobey "lawful orders," a critical misrepresentation.
Pro-Trump pundit Ben Ferguson passionately defended the former president. "I go back to the video," Ferguson argued. "Like, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now if it wasn't for a ridiculous video that was put out by Democrats, telling people in uniform to defy the president of the United States of America."
Anchor Abby Phillip directly challenged this narrative. "Ben, we just laid out that the video says you should not follow illegal orders," she stated. When Phillip pressed Ferguson on whether he believed military members should obey illegal orders, the discussion grew more intense. Ferguson dismissed the controversy as "a total, like, ball of crap" and claimed the targeted lawmakers had "wanted" the fight with Trump.
Real-World Consequences and Heated Defenses
The fallout from Trump's comments extended beyond the television studio. Senator Elissa Slotkin revealed that the number of threats against her has exploded since Thursday. Senator Mark Kelly took to social media to state that Trump is "stoking violence" and that the president's actions are "dangerous."
Ferguson responded to Kelly's statement with mockery, suggesting the senator was using the situation for political fundraising. Neera Tanden, a former aide to President Joe Biden, countered that Kelly was only responding to being attacked by Trump. Ferguson fired back, "No, he attacked the president of the United States of America by telling people in the military to not obey the president... if he does something you don't like."
The host eventually intervened to correct the factual record. "Hold on a second," Phillip interrupted. "We just played for people at home exactly what the video says, Ben. You cannot sit here and lie about that same video. That doesn't work. The video did not say that they should defy the orders of the president. It said that you cannot follow illegal orders."
Phillip further noted that this principle is explicitly outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Article 92 of that code confirms that military members can be punished for failing to obey a lawful order, thereby upholding the distinction between legal and illegal commands that was at the heart of the debate.
