POLITICS

Leavitt Defends Trump Over 'Punishable By Death' Posts

PUBLISHED Nov 20, 2025, 4:35 PM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 16

Left 19%

Center 63%

Right 19%

Sources: 16

Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump's social media posts this week on Thursday after he reposted comments calling Democratic lawmakers' video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders 'seditious' and 'punishable by death.' Leavitt characterized the lawmakers' video as encouraging service members to defy lawful orders and emphasized preserving the military chain of command during a Thursday briefing. Reporters asked whether the president sought executions; Leavitt denied that he did while repeating criticism of the lawmakers. The episode prompted widespread media coverage and condemnations from Democratic leaders. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

A group of six Democratic lawmakers released a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders.
President Trump reposted online comments labeling the video 'seditious' and stated it was 'punishable by death.'
Reporters at a White House briefing questioned Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt about the president's posts and whether executions were intended.
Leavitt denied that the president sought executions and emphasized the perceived threat to chain of command.
Multiple national outlets covered the exchange and Democratic leaders condemned the president's social media language.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 16
Right Leaning:: 3
Left Leaning:: 3
Neutral:: 10

Who Benefited

Political allies of President Trump gained messaging and mobilization opportunities as attention focused on Democratic lawmakers' video and the president's response.

Who Impacted

The six Democratic lawmakers involved, civil-military norms, and institutional trust experienced reputational harm and intensified partisan scrutiny following the exchange.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 16
Right Leaning:: 3
Left Leaning:: 3
Neutral:: 10
Distribution:: Left 19%, Center 63%, Right 19%

Who Benefited

Political allies of President Trump gained messaging and mobilization opportunities as attention focused on Democratic lawmakers' video and the president's response.

Who Impacted

The six Democratic lawmakers involved, civil-military norms, and institutional trust experienced reputational harm and intensified partisan scrutiny following the exchange.