Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona faced intense scrutiny during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he reaffirmed his call for military personnel to refuse any orders deemed illegal. This discussion follows a recent video featuring Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers encouraging service members to resist unlawful directives from the Trump administration.
During the interview, host Kristen Welker posed a challenging hypothetical scenario to Kelly. She asked him if he would have disobeyed an order to strike drug traffickers overseas had he still been in military service. Kelly, a former pilot who completed 39 combat missions in Iraq and Kuwait, emphasized the moral and legal complexities that military officers face in the field.
Earlier this month, Kelly, along with fellow lawmakers Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Jason Crow (D-Colo.), released a video urging the military to reject “illegal orders.” President Donald Trump condemned the video, accusing the lawmakers of promoting seditious behavior.
In response to Welker’s question, Kelly reflected on his service, stating, “Never once did I question whether those orders were legal or illegal.” He asserted that military personnel must be able to differentiate between lawful and unlawful commands. “If I was ever given an unlawful order, I would refuse. If you have time, you can go to the judge advocate generals, the lawyers, and discuss it. If you don’t have time, you simply say, ‘I’m not going to do that. That’s against the law,'” he explained.
The discussion continued as Welker highlighted the burden placed on military officers to make real-time decisions about the legality of orders. Kelly acknowledged this pressure but maintained that it is part of their responsibility. “A reasonable person can tell the difference between something that is legal and something that is illegal,” he asserted.
As the dialogue progressed, Kelly expressed his concerns about the potential consequences for service members who might unknowingly follow illegal orders. “It is not fair to them,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for leadership that respects the Constitution and the rule of law.
The backlash from Trump’s camp has intensified, with Kelly recently stating on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he is unwavering in his stance. “Members of the military need to follow the law. We wanted to say that we have their backs. His response, kill them,” he said, referring to Trump’s comments.
The Pentagon has since announced an investigation into the video featuring Kelly and his colleagues, which has raised questions among legal experts about the implications for the lawmakers involved. The investigation was initiated following Trump’s accusation that Kelly’s statements were seditious and could be punishable by death.
This ongoing controversy highlights the significant tension surrounding military orders and the responsibilities of service members in navigating complex legal and ethical landscapes. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on the implications for both the military and the politicians involved in this heated debate.
