Days ago, President Donald Trump launched violent online attacks and called for the arrest of six democratic lawmakers. Now, his Department of War has launched an investigation against Senator Mark Kelly, who was one of them.
Six democrats, all ex-military or intelligence officers, recorded a video last week urging servicemen to disobey unlawful orders. The group included Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow. They sent a simple message: Refuse illegal orders and uphold the Constitution.
But Trump was fuming the moment he learned that his order could be disobeyed. Completely ignoring the keyword “unlawful” in their message, he labeled the lawmakers’ video “seditious behavior.” And he didn’t stop there. In a series of posts, he called them “traitors” and “terrorists” and even endorsed calls for their death penalty.
Department of War will thoroughly review allegations against Mark Kelly
In an unfortunate development, the Department of War took cognizance of the matter and announced investigations on Monday. Their X post targeted Sen. Mark Kelly, declaring that they have “received serious allegations of misconduct” against him. Kelly is a retired Navy captain and astronaut, and is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”
Is the investigation legal?
Dept of War’s post included a reminder that all “military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses.” Clarifying the federal laws that Kelly is alleged to have broken, they wrote: “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.”
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also called Kelly and his peers’ video “despicable, reckless, and false.” He labeled them the “Seditious Six,” and alleged that “their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion” among servicemen. Hegseth then announced that among the six, only Kelly falls under Dept. of War’s jurisdiction, and so, he’s launching an investigation.
Mark Kelly’s reply to Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump
Kelly stands tall on his ground. In response to the announcement, he wrote a long message on his X. Revealing that he only got to know about the investigation after Hegseth’s post, he wrote:
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. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.
Kelly also delved into his past and his unwavering commitment to uphold the Constitution. “When I was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution,” he said. Pressing on his loyalty, he continued,
I upheld that oath through flight school, multiple deployments on the USS Midway, 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, test pilot school, four space shuttle flights at NASA, and every day since I retired.
Senator Kelly has not violated any military law, and he stands firm on his ground. He also appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show and declared that “I’m not gonna be silenced here.” He continued, “I’m gonna show up for work every day, support the constitution, do my job, hold this administration accountable.”
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