CNN host Abby Phillip on Saturday demanded a “yes or no” answer from conservative activist Terry Schilling, who defended President Donald Trump, despite the president’s suggestion that Democratic veterans in Congress have engaged in sedition against the U.S. and endorsing a post calling for their execution.
“Trump thinks that there is a problem of political violence in this country,” said Phillip during a “CNN Saturday Morning Table for Five” discussion with Schilling. “Why on Earth are comments like these acceptable to you?”
Schilling said sedition is “a lawful process,” and that anyone accused of it has to be “tried and convicted” in court. He also said Trump is “not encouraging people” to commit political violence, despite his egregious social media spree to the contrary on Thursday.
Trump decried “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR” coming from Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.), as well as Reps. Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.), and said it’s “punishable by DEATH!”
Those Democrats, all of whom have backgrounds in the military or intelligence community, published a video on Tuesday reminding military members that they can “refuse illegal orders,” as “no one has to carry out orders that violate the law.”
Schilling told Phillip on Saturday, “These people are fascists.”
When Phillip asked Schilling if he actually believes that the lawmakers committed sedition, he replied, “I think it was terrible.”
Phillip reiterated once again, “Do you think that’s sedition?”
“Look, we’ve already seen Democrats weaponize the government,” said Schilling.
Phillip, who had already confronted another MAGA guest about this subject on Thursday, asked Schilling again, “Terry, let me ask you a question. Do you think that Democrats, putting out a video saying, ’Follow the law, don’t follow illegal orders … is sedition?”
He responded with another question, “Why do you need to tell people to follow the laws?” and added that “everyone in the military knows we need to follow the law.”
“It is a yes or no question!” Phillip exclaimed.
Schilling, once again, responded with anything but those words, saying, “I think—” before Phillip cut him off.
“Is it sedition to tell the people to follow the law?” Phillip asked. “I’m just saying you’re not willing to say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ because it’s very obvious that the answer is no. Because if that were the case, then I think that … we would be executing people left, right and center.”
Schilling — who heads the conservative political advocacy group American Principles Project — remained unwavering in his indirectness, instead complaning, “But they’re calling for the military to undermine the commander in chief.”
