The six lawmakers - all military and intelligence veterans - released a video last year reminding servicemembers they can refuse illegal orders.

Federal prosecutors in Washington have dropped their case against six Democratic lawmakers who released a video urging military servicemembers to refuse illegal orders.

The decision - confirmed by the BBC’s media partner CBS News - follows US Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office failing to secure a grand jury indictment against the six military and intelligence veterans.

The justice department could still pursue the case in a different district, but there were no signs on Tuesday that it intended to do so. Pirro’s office had no comment.

    • FauxLiving@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      …and the last time it will ever be mentioned. They got the press that they wanted when they filed the charges.

      The point wasn’t to actually secure convictions it was to loudly announce that they will go to great lengths to attack veterans if they get too loud with their opposition. The fact that the charges are dropped months later doesn’t change the effect of the message.

      As they say in law enforcement: “You may beat the charge, but you can’t beat the ride”.

      A lot of people will keep their mouth shut because they don’t want to risk the ride, even if they would ultimately be exonerated.