Sen. Mark Kelly speaks out against political violence
Sen. Mark Kelly has spoken out about the threat posed by the Trump administration, saying silencing the American people is the president’s “single focus.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly claimed President Donald Trump is sending a “message” that Americans cannot criticize their government, after the Pentagon last week launched an investigation that could include returning the Arizona Democrat to active duty for a court-martial.
“They’re trying to send a message to veterans, government employees, military personnel, elected officials, and all Americans who are thinking of speaking out, that you better keep your mouth shut or else,” Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, said at a news conference at the Capitol on Dec. 1.
The Pentagon announced last week that it was investigating Kelly for “allegations of serious misconduct.” The move came after Kelly joined a group of Democratic lawmakers in releasing a video telling service members they had the right to disobey orders they believed to be illegal.
Last week, President Trump’s Department of the Army confirmed in a post on X that it was opening an investigation into Kelly that could “include court-martial and return to active duty for administrative action.” The post cited the Uniform Military Justice Act, a federal law that outlines military criminal law.
But Kelly said at a news conference that the Trump administration’s public comments were “the only notice we have received to date” regarding a possible court-martial. Legal and military experts told USA TODAY that the case against Kelly faces major hurdles and that a military tribunal would likely result in a “death on arrival.”
“This is a dangerous moment for America as the president and his allies use all their power to silence the voices of U.S. senators,” Kelly said.
The FBI last week also requested interviews with the Arizona senator and five other Democrats who participated in the video.
Immediately after the video was released, President Trump made a series of posts on social media, accusing Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior and deserves the death penalty!” He later told Fox News that he did not believe the lawmakers should be executed, but warned that they were in “serious trouble.”
Kelly referenced Trump’s initial social media post about the video, claiming the president had “no regard for the rule of law.” But the senator also said he had no intention of filing a lawsuit based on public criticism of President Trump.
Kerry says Hegseth should testify about Venezuela attack
Mr. Kerry also criticized recent attacks on suspected U.S. drug vessels, following reports that U.S. forces attacked a ship in the Caribbean, killing two survivors clinging to the wreckage.
Kelly said council was briefed on the first three strikes. But a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee claimed officials were “choking to explain why this entire operation is legal.”
He said he wants officials involved in the strike to come before the committee to present legal arguments to the American people, including addressing concerns about due process guarantees under the 14th Amendment.
The Trump administration faces increased scrutiny from a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the wake of recent airstrikes, which the president’s allies say are national security efforts.
“If anyone should ever have to answer questions under oath in public, it’s Pete Hegseth,” Kelly said.
