Sen. Thom Tillis joined several congressional Democrats in cheering the failed indictment against a cohort of lawmakers who called on military service members to "refuse illegal orders." (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
It’s not the first time Tillis has bucked the administration. He has placed holds on future Homeland Security nominees, pledged to block President Donald Trump’s pick to replace outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and has been a vocal critic of the president’s advisors, including White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital, sought to bring criminal charges against Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., along with Reps. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Jason Crow, D-Colo., Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.
The group of Democrats — all of whom previously served in the military or as intelligence officers — last year said service members could "refuse illegal orders" and "must refuse illegal orders," arguing that troops are not required to carry out commands they believe violate the Constitution.
DEM SENATOR SAYS SHE'S UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OVER 'UNLAWFUL ORDERS' VIDEO
Sen. Mark Kelly speaks to members of the media outside federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
After the grand jury declined to indict them, the lawmakers praised the decision.
"Donald Trump wants every American to be too scared to speak out against him," Kelly said in a statement. "The most patriotic thing any of us can do is not back down."
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Slotkin added that no matter what comes next from the administration in its pursuit of legal recourse, "tonight we can score one for the Constitution, our freedom of speech, and the rule of law."
Fox News Digital did not immediately hear back from Pirro's office for comment.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tillis-rips-political-lawfare-praises-grand-jury-after-dems-avoid-charges-illegal-orders-case