Sedition refers to overt conduct, including speech or organized activities, that encourages rebellion against established authority. It typically involves actions aimed at subverting a constitution or inciting discontent and insurrection, without necessarily involving direct violence. Written expressions deemed seditious are classified as seditious libel, and individuals who engage in such behavior are known as seditionists. This concept is recognized in various legal systems as a serious offense against state security.
The topic of sedition is notable due to its legal and political implications, often arising in contexts involving free speech, dissent, and national stability. It has been historically used to prosecute individuals or groups perceived as threatening governmental authority, making it a contentious issue in democracies where the balance between security and civil liberties is debated.
Recently, sedition has been in the news following accusations by former U.S. President Donald Trump against several Democratic lawmakers. He claimed their actions constituted sedition and suggested it was punishable by death, a statement that garnered widespread media coverage. Fact-checking organizations and news outlets have analyzed these claims, with some experts expressing doubt about the validity of the sedition accusations, highlighting the ongoing discussions about the term's application and legal standards.
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- BREAKING: President Donald Trump on Thursday accused half a dozen Democratic lawmakers of sedition "punishable by DEATH" after they called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy "illegal orders." - facebook.com 2025-11-21 07:43 · facebook.com
- Trump said Democratic video is seditious. Experts doubt that - PolitiFact 2025-11-21 07:34 · PolitiFact
- Donald Trump says six Democrats guilty of sedition ‘punishable by death’ - The Irish Independent 2025-11-21 07:00 · The Irish Independent
- Trump: 'Seditious' Democrat message 'punishable by death' - DW 2025-11-21 06:56 · DW
- Trump wants sedition trial of Sen. Mark Kelly and other vets who urged defiance of illegal orders - Cronkite News 2025-11-21 06:54 · Cronkite News
- ‘Punishable by DEATH’: Trump threatens Democrats with sedition charges - Al Jazeera 2025-11-21 06:41 · Al Jazeera
- What US Law Says About Sedition and Troops Defying Illegal Orders - Newsweek 2025-11-21 06:41 · Newsweek
- 'Punishable by death': President Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of seditious behavior - KOCO 2025-11-21 06:35 · KOCO
- ‘Treason’: Trump accuses Democrats of ‘sedition’ for urging soldiers to refuse illegal orders - Sky News Australia 2025-11-21 06:09 · Sky News Australia