https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2384
Sedition refers to overt conduct, such as speech or organization, that incites rebellion against the established government or authority. In the United States, sedition is primarily defined under 18 U.S.C. § 2384 as seditious conspiracy, which involves two or more people conspiring to overthrow, destroy by force, or oppose the authority of the U.S. government, or to prevent the execution of federal laws. It is a serious felony punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison for civilians. Unlike treason, which involves active war or direct betrayal, sedition typically involves incitement or planning without direct action. The U.S. Supreme Court has set a high bar for prosecuting speech as sedition, notably in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), which established that speech can only be restricted if it incites imminent lawless action. The term has historical roots in Roman law and English common law, and modern laws vary significantly across countries—some, like Australia, have replaced sedition with laws targeting "urging violence," while others, like India and Hong Kong, maintain or have updated sedition statutes under national security frameworks.