US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday escalated the Trump administration’s attacks on Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona by ordering the US Navy secretary to investigate “potentially unlawful comments” made by Kelly in a social media video with other lawmakers.
Hegseth’s order came in the form of a memo to John Phelan, asking the Navy secretary to review comments made by Kelly and a group of fellow Democrats in a video last week that sought to remind serving soldiers and intelligence officers that they have the right to refuse unlawful orders.
Hegseth said in the memo that he wanted a brief from Phelan that he could review by Dec. 10.
The Pentagon issued a statement on Monday that it was investigating Kelly for possible violations of military law.
Kelly and other Democrats have been accused of “treasonous behavior” by Donald Trump, to which Kelly responded that the US President is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against him as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress”.
The four politicians, along with two others, had made a video encouraging US military service members to resist illegal orders – a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the group was “treasonous” and therefore could be jailed or even given the death penalty.
The group’s latest statement, issued by congressmen Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris DeLuzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants requesting interviews with them.
“No amount of threats or harassment will stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution,” he said, adding that each of them has taken an oath to “support and defend” the U.S. Constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime and we intend to live up to it. We will not be intimidated. We will never abandon ship,” he said.
The statement deepens a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Kelly Kelly and Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged members of the military and intelligence services to “reject illegal orders.”
Slotkin said that the FBI’s counterterrorism division had informed the group that “they are opening an investigation against six of us” and described the move as an “intimidation tactic” by Trump.
“Honestly, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is why we made the video,” he said.
“He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the weapons of government against people he disagrees with. He doesn’t believe the law applies to him… That’s why we made the video, to give people some reassurance that they’re not alone as they watch this thing unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is reviewing allegations of misconduct against Kelly, which could result in his recall to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
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