A local nonprofit has put up a billboard near the entrance of Naval Base San Diego reminding troops that they have a duty to refuse illegal orders. “The San Diego Veterans For Peace, Hugh Thompson Memorial Chapter #91, is very pleased to announce … a billboard reminding active-duty troops tha t they have a duty to disobey illegal orders,” the organization said in a news release that went out on Wednesday. Unlawful Order Controversy Congress Feb 12 Judge temporarily blocks Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly for calling on US troops to resist unlawful orders Congress Jan 5 Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after warning about following illegal orders “Active Duty National Guard: You have a duty to refuse illegal orders,” the billboard reads, with a snow-capped mountain range in the background and a bald eagle in the foreground. The billboard was installed recently on Harbor Drive in Barrio Logan. A spokesperson for San Diego Veterans for Peace said the sign is part of a national campaign, with similar billboards posted across the country. The billboard’s sign echoes the messaging of federal lawmakers who appeared in a video late last year encouraging troops not to follow unlawful orders. The group includes Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot; as well as Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan; Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado; Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania; Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire; and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania. All of the participants are veterans of the armed services or intelligence agencies. Trump Administration Feb 10 DOJ fails to indict in case of Democrats' video about refusing illegal military orders Politics Dec 1, 2025 Sen. Kelly: ‘President Trump is not going to silence me' New Hampshire Nov 21, 2025 Congresswoman responds to Trump's posts accusing Democrats of ‘seditious behavior Donald Trump Nov 20, 2025 Press secretary defends Trump's death penalty post on ‘seditious' Democrats President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” in a social media post days later. The Department of Justice tried, unsuccessfully, to indict them. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also tried to punish Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for appearing in the video, but that effort was blocked in court. At the time, Hegseth said Kelly’s censure was “a necessary process step” to proceedings that could result in a demotion from the senator’s retired rank of captain and subsequent reduction in retirement pay. ...read more read less