Lawyers Fail to Charge Six Democrats Over Military Video

A group of prosecutors in Washington tried to bring criminal charges against six Democratic lawmakers. They had posted a video last fall that warned soldiers and spies to refuse unlawful orders. The case was led by the U. S. attorney’s office, which is run by a former ally of President Trump. The prosecutors asked a grand jury to indict the lawmakers. All six had served in the military or intelligence agencies at some point. The lawyers argued that the video violated a law that protects the morale and discipline of the armed forces. The grand jury, however, rejected the request. The jurors did not think the lawmakers had broken any laws. This was unusual, because it is rare for grand jurors to deny prosecutors’ requests.The move was seen by many as an attempt to use the justice system for political purposes. The Justice Department has been criticized in the past for acting under pressure from the White House. The lawmakers included Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. The case highlighted the tension between political actions and legal accountability. The outcome shows that ordinary citizens on a grand jury can influence the course of justice. It also raises questions about how often prosecutors pursue politically motivated cases.