Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee called the Pentagon's investigation into retired naval officer Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) a threat to "politicize our military justice system," in a letter sent to the Navy Secretary John Phelan Tuesday.
The big picture: The Senators' concern follows President Trump's post on X accusing Kelly and five other lawmakers of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH" after they appeared in a video reminding military and service members they could disobey unlawful orders.
Driving the news: The Senators said Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's directive to investigate Kelly is a "brazen abuse of power" and argued that the review violates the separation of powers.
- They added that while the Defense Department aims to preserve "impartiality," the Trump administration's public comments have made a fair review "impossible."
- The letter also noted that Phelan was to brief Hegseth by Dec. 10.
What they're saying: The Democrats called the review "a purely political exercise seeking to threaten legitimate and lawful actions by a duly elected Senator, and politicize our military justice system."
- "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," Kelly said in a statement on Nov. 24 after the investigation was announced.
- Representatives for Kelly, Phelan and the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Go deeper: Sen. Mark Kelly facing military investigation after clashing with Trump
