Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Monday night he is not intimidated by being under investigation by the Department of War.
The Pentagon announced Kelly was being investigated for “serious allegations of misconduct.”
The news came from the DOW in the form of a post on X, days after Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers posted a video stating U.S. service members could refuse illegal orders, IJR previously reported.
Kelly spoke with Rachel Maddow on MS NOW about the situation.
“I’ve had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I’ve been nearly shot down multiple times. I’ve flown a rocket ship into space four times, built by the lowest bidder,” Kelly said. “But I’m not going to be silenced here.
“Is it stressful? I’ve been stressed by things more important than Donald Trump trying to intimidate me into shutting my mouth and not doing my job,” Kelly continued. “He didn’t like what I said. I’m going to show up for work every day, support the constitution, do my job, hold this administration accountable. Hold this president accountable when he is out of line.”
“That’s the responsibility of every U.S. Senator and every member of congress. He’s not going to silence us,” the senator added.
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Kelly was one of six Democrats who posted a video last week, which was addressed to military members.
“The threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from aboard, but from right here right at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” the group said. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
In return, Trump called them “traitors” and said they should be “in jail.” At one point, Trump said their action could be “punishable by death.”
He later said, “I’m not threatening death, but I think they’re in serious trouble.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth explained why Kelly was the only one of the six under investigation.
“Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under [Defense Department] 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,” Hegseth posted on X.
