A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined Tuesday to indict six Democratic lawmakers in connection with a controversial video urging U.S. military and intelligence personnel to refuse unlawful orders, according to multiple news reports.

The Justice Department, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office, had pushed the grand jury to indict the lawmakers, reportedly arguing that the statements interfered with military loyalty or discipline.

The decision marks a rare rebuke of prosecutors by ordinary citizens, particularly in politically charged investigations. The bipartisan group of lawmakers featured in the November video includes Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colorado), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania), Chris Deluzio (D-Pennsylvania) and Maggie Goodlander (D-New Hampshire) — all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds.

Slotkin said in a statement after the grand jury’s decision, “Tonight we can score one for the Constitution, our freedom of speech, and the rule of law.” She added that the outcome was “another sad day for our country.”

Kelly echoed that criticism of the prosecution, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power by Donald Trump and his lackies.” Kelly said on X, “Donald Trump wants every American to be too scared to speak out against him. The most patriotic thing any of us can do is not back down.”

Houlahan and Deluzio also reacted publicly. Houlahan posted that the grand jury’s choice was “good news for the Constitution and the free speech protections it guarantees,” and said the decision was “a win for all Americans.”

Deluzio said he “will not be intimidated for a single second by the Trump Administration or Justice Department lawyers who tried and failed to indict me today.”

The 90-second video that triggered the investigation reminded service members that they have a duty to refuse orders they believe are unlawful. In it, lawmakers said they urged troops and intelligence professionals not to “give up the ship” and urged listeners to uphold legal standards and constitutional commitments.

President Donald Trump and his allies reacted strongly when the video first surfaced. Trump labeled the lawmakers’ comments “seditious behavior” and suggested they were “punishable by death” on his social media platform.

Grand jurors declined to sign off on charges, a move that is uncommon given the broad authority prosecutors typically wield in such proceedings.

Critics of the indictment effort, including civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers, have described it as an example of political pressure impacting prosecutorial decisions. Supporters of the grand jury’s decision say it affirms core First Amendment protections, especially for elected officials speaking on public policy.

The fallout from the video has not ended.

The Pentagon separately opened an inquiry into Kelly’s military retirement status after the announcement, and he is currently suing to block moves by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that would retroactively demote him.