Pentagon investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over 'refuse illegal orders' video

Oompa Loompa · 2025-11-25T19:34:04-0600

Pentagon investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over 'refuse illegal orders' video

The Pentagon said it is reviewing whether Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, broke military law by urging troops to refuse unlawful orders.

www.usatoday.com

The Pentagon announced Nov. 24 that it was investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for "serious allegations of misconduct" after the Arizona Democrat called for U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders.

Officials are reviewing whether Kelly was involved in a breach of military law, according to a post on X from the Department of War, formally the Department of Defense.

Kelly was among a group of six Democratic lawmakers who put out a video directed at service members telling them they have the right not to obey orders they believe to be illegal.

"A thorough review" of the allegations was initiated to determine further actions against Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, "which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures," the post reads.

The social media post cited a federal law that allows retired military members to be recalled to active duty if ordered.

This should be interesting.

ThatRobGuy · 2025-11-25T20:29:09-0600

It's a case of "show politics"

Mark Kelly made his statement "for show", the administration is going to go after him "for show"

I don't expect anything significant to come of it.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-11-25T20:51:17-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
It's a case of "show politics"

Mark Kelly made his statement "for show", the administration is going to go after him "for show"

I don't expect anything significant to come of it.

I agree. Yes, retired officers can be recalled to face a military court. However, this is usually only the case when a crime occurred while the individual was on active duty. I don't think any jury will convict. However, this may send a clear message that such rhetoric, which disrupts the good order and discipline of the military, will not be tolerated.

RDKirk · 2025-11-25T22:30:06-0600

Oompa Loompa said:
I agree. Yes, retired officers can be recalled to face a military court. However, this is usually only the case when a crime occurred while the individual was on active duty. I don't think any jury will convict. However, this may send a clear message that such rhetoric, which disrupts the good order and discipline of the military, will not be tolerated.

True enough that usually happens when it's discovered that a retiree had committed a crime while on active duty.

But a fairly recent federal law prohibits a sitting member of Congress from going into military active duty. In order to go back into active duty, Kelly would have to resign from the Senate.

If Kelly refuses to resign and refuses to report to active duty, in one technical sense he would be in violation of the UCMJ. Members of Congress are not subject to the UCMJ, however.

So, basically, as a Senator he can tell the Pentagon to pound sand.

Also, in three months Kelly will be beyond the statutory age of being recalled back to active duty.

Not to mention that the case itself would be laughable. Both the UCMJ and US Code require use of force to be a component of a sedition charge. Before they even consider recalling Kelly to face a court-martial, they've got to invent a charge that won't be laughed at by any military judge.

I don't think anyone in uniform in the Pentagon wants to harass Kelly. This isn't a matter that will make them look good or feel good. They've got to tap dance for their boss, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tap dance very, very slowly for the next three months.

Aldebaran · 2025-11-25T23:44:16-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
It's a case of "show politics"

Mark Kelly made his statement "for show", the administration is going to go after him "for show"

I don't expect anything significant to come of it.

Probably more likely that Kelly and the others made their statement in preparation for what they think is coming, which is future military operations--perhaps in Venezuela. Those Democrats made their statement about not having to follow "illegal orders". Then what do you think these same Democrats would once military operations got started? They'd be standing on the House and Senate floors crowing about how Trump is conducting an "illegal operation" using the military. They would keep saying things like that to go along with their previous assertion about how military members don't have obey illegal orders, thus encouraging mutiny within our own military. I don't doubt this is exactly what they want. It's not like they haven't stooped to such low levels before.

rjs330 · 2025-11-26T00:25:15-0600

It all political theater. I wish everyone would knock it off and just get back to governing. Democrats and Republicans both.

Maria Billingsley · 2025-11-26T06:18:20-0600

Oompa Loompa said:
Pentagon investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over 'refuse illegal orders' video

The Pentagon said it is reviewing whether Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, broke military law by urging troops to refuse unlawful orders.

www.usatoday.com

This should be interesting.

Perfect example of right is wrong and wrong is right. Even when it is clearly presented, "refuse unlawful orders", somehow this glaring word goes unnoticed.
Let us reason, please!

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Pentagon investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over 'refuse illegal orders' video

Oompa Loompa

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