Army Veteran Running for Congress Calls on Troops to Defy Hegseth’s Orders

Controversy is swirling around a former U.S. Army captain currently running for Congress. The Democrat candidate urged troops to reject orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy the National Guard in Portland, Oregon.

Captain Dylan Blaha, a 13-year Army veteran now running for Congress in Illinois’ 13th District, released a statement calling on military personnel to reject what he described as “illegal orders” connected to the Trump administration’s recent invocation of the Insurrection Act of 2025. The order deploys Guard units to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and facilities in Portland, which have been under violent attack by Antifa-aligned protesters.

Blaha cited the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. § 1385), which generally prohibits the use of federal troops in domestic law enforcement. However, the law contains exceptions, including federal property protection and use under the Insurrection Act when state and local authorities fail to maintain order.

Legal and Military Fallout

Blaha’s comments raise sharp legal questions. Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2387), it is a crime to “advise, counsel, or urge” military members to disobey orders, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. While prosecutions are rare, the statute remains in force.

Military law also complicates the matter. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members must disobey “manifestly unlawful orders.” Blaha argues that deploying Guard units to Portland falls into that category. But federal courts have historically granted wide latitude to presidents invoking the Insurrection Act — making Blaha’s position far from settled.

Legal experts note that Blaha could attempt to shield his speech under the First Amendment, citing the Supreme Court’s Brandenburg v. Ohio standard, which protects political advocacy unless it is likely to incite “imminent lawless action.” Whether his call rises to that level remains an open question.

A Risky Political Move

Beyond the legal debate, Blaha’s remarks could prove politically damaging. He is running as a progressive Democrat against Rep. Nikki Budzinski (Democrat) in Illinois’ 13th District in the 2026 election. His campaign has emphasized rejecting special interest money and promoting peace-oriented policies.

But critics argue that urging military insubordination while campaigning for Congress undercuts both judgment and credibility. Conservative commentators have pointed out that such rhetoric plays into a broader trend of Democratic extremism in opposing President Trump — a trend some say is driving voters away from the party.

Meanwhile, Portland remains a flashpoint. Federal authorities report escalating violence around ICE facilities, including recent beatings of civilians by rioters and the use of force by officers to secure federal property. The Trump administration has determined the Guard deployment as necessary to restore order and protect federal employees.

Looking Ahead

Whether Blaha faces legal consequences for his remarks is uncertain. The Justice Department would have to weigh First Amendment concerns against the government’s interest in maintaining discipline within the armed forces. What is clear is that the controversy has thrust a little-known congressional challenger into the national spotlight.