Ruben Gallego Slams Trump Admin Over Investigation Into Mark Kelly Over Video Urging Military Members To Not Obey Unlawful Orders: 'F--k You And Your Investigation'

"This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings," adds the publication, which noted that "federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces."

"All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A servicemember's personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth elaborated on the matter in a publication of his own, calling the video "despicable, reckless and false." "Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under @DeptofWar jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not "retired", so they are no longer subject to UCMJ). However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ—and he knows that," he noted.

Kelly, who retired as a captain, said he heard about the investigation through Hegseth's post. "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work," the senator claimed. "I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."

Gallego, a veteran of the Marines, also said in an earlier post that Kelly "has dedicated his life to serving this country with honor. And now Trump is coming after him with the same baseless garbage he throws at anyone who refuses to bend the knee."

"Mark told the truth — in America, we swear an oath to the Constitution, not wannabe kings," he added.