AOC questions Trump’s mental state after he calls for death penalty for Democratic lawmakers
AOC: The president’s remarks indicate a level of instability.
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 23, 2025
It’s not just shocking, it’s not just offensive, it’s bizarre, it is erratic, it’s volatile.
I think it indicates a mental state that we should all be questioning right now. pic.twitter.com/Fd9bnUSqYc
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a sharp warning, New York Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voiced serious concern about the mental fitness of President Donald Trump, after he called Democratic lawmakers seditious over a video message.
AOC’s concern comes after Trump called the six Democrats’ message 'seditious' and called for their death penalty after they urged the military to refuse illegal orders.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's concern about Trump's mental health
Ocasio-Cortez questioned Trump’s mental fitness after his furious posts called for the death penalty for six Democrats who reminded US troops they should refuse illegal orders, igniting a firestorm on Capitol Hill.
She said the president’s language was “not just shocking” but “bizarre,” “erratic,” and “volatile.”
“I think it indicates a mental state that we should all be questioning right now,” she told reporters on Friday.
Trump's anger against six Democrats
SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) November 20, 2025
(TS: 20 Nov 10:21 ET)
Trump’s anger was followed by a video recorded by the six Democratic military and intelligence veterans, led by Sen Elissa Slotkin, calling on troops to uphold the Constitution.
In the video, senqtors Slotkin and Mark Kelly joined Reps Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow to advise members of the military and the intelligence community to “refuse illegal orders.”
Taking to Truth Social, Trump slammed the video as “seditious behavior” and amplified posts arguing it was “punishable by DEATH.”
Some of the six have received threats, including reported bomb threats to Rep. Deluzio’s offices and Sen Slotkin’s home.
According to the Washington Post, the threats have been reported to police, but he has refused to dial down what the Dems described as “threatening” rhetoric.
Bipartisan backlash over Trump's remark
Mark Kelly: "The message he sent a couple days ago was he declared that loyalty to the Constitution is now punishable by death. Those are serious words coming from the president. He's trying to intimidate us. But I'm not going to be intimidated." pic.twitter.com/snEpIbMHn4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 23, 2025
Sen Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former NASA astronaut, pushed back directly on Sunday. “The message [Trump] sent a couple days ago was, he declared that loyalty to the Constitution was now punishable by death,” he told CBS News’ 'Face the Nation'.
“He’s trying to intimidate us. But... I’m not going to be intimidated.” He added that he had sworn an oath and merely “reiterated… that members of the military should not, can not, follow illegal orders.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on whether Trump needs to dial back "dangerous rhetoric" ..
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) November 23, 2025
Paul was asked about it on Face the Nation pic.twitter.com/4Q3YA29DCA
Even the Republicans slammed Trump for his language. “If you take at face value the idea that calling your opponents traitors and then specifically saying that it warrants the death penalty is reckless, inappropriate, irresponsible,” Kentucky Republican Sen Rand Paul told 'Face the Nation'.
“It’s not something that is helping the country heal wounds. I think it stirs things up, and really, I think we can do better.”
Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Thom Tillis likewise voiced concern. “Words carry a lot of weight,” Tillis said.
“Kids are watching, and the president of the United States should always be thinking less about the adults you’re reacting to… and the kids that are watching, too.”