By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Pentagon has initiated an investigation into Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for potential violations of military law after he participated in a video urging U.S. troops to reject unlawful orders. The Pentagon cited a federal law allowing for the recall of retired service members, like Kelly, for possible court-martial or other actions, indicating his statements may have interfered with military order and discipline. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Kelly was the only lawmaker targeted because he is the only one who formally retired from the military, placing him under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction. The video, released last Tuesday, also prompted criticism from President Donald Trump who accused the lawmakers of sedition, although reactions from troops online have been minimal.
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Pentagon says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for video urging troops to defy ‘illegal orders’.
So, the Pentagon is apparently investigating Senator Mark Kelly. Why? Because he, in a video, encouraged troops to uphold the law and the Constitution by refusing to follow illegal orders. Let’s be clear: this isn’t some fringe viewpoint. It’s a fundamental principle of military service and a cornerstone of the American legal system. Reminding people of their legal obligations shouldn’t be a cause for investigation, it should be a cause for celebration.
The entire premise seems a bit upside down, doesn’t it? The very idea that reminding people to obey the law is somehow a problem is, frankly, ridiculous. What is the Pentagon worried about? That troops will actually follow the law? It’s like they’re upset that someone might be preventing them from issuing illegal orders in the first place. You know, the MAGA crowd is all up in arms, but if there were no illegal orders being given, why all the fuss?
It’s also worth pointing out the obvious: American troops are absolutely supposed to defy illegal orders. It’s written right there in the Constitution, in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This isn’t some radical idea; it’s a core tenet of military ethics and a vital safeguard against abuses of power. The fact that the Pentagon is even considering an investigation is frankly mind-boggling. It’s an indictment of the current administration. Is this not a case of the pot calling the kettle black?
One has to wonder if, perhaps, those in charge might be a bit sensitive about the whole “illegal orders” thing. Maybe they’re worried about potential scrutiny of their own actions. We’ve heard whispers of the military having to be reminded of what they have to do to stay out of trouble. Some of them needed reminding of the basics, so that seems to be the reason why Mark Kelly did what he did. Perhaps the higher ups are the ones who need to be reminded of the law and the constitution. It’s also worth noting that it is a violation of his First Amendment right to free speech. The response of the Pentagon also speaks volumes; their reaction wasn’t, “we don’t give illegal orders,” but rather, “how dare you tell soldiers not to follow our orders!”
The whole thing feels like a bad joke. The idea of the Pentagon “investigating” someone for simply stating the obvious – that people shouldn’t break the law – is absurd. It’s an abuse of power, plain and simple. What, is it now illegal to tell people not to do illegal things? The irony is that this comes from an administration that has, frankly, demonstrated a remarkable disregard for the law on numerous occasions. The hypocrisy is staggering.
And let’s be honest, this isn’t just about Mark Kelly. It’s about a fundamental clash of values. It’s about whether we’re a nation of laws or a nation where power dictates right. The fact that this is even a debate is a testament to the erosion of norms and the creeping authoritarianism we’ve seen in recent years. This is a testing ground, a trial balloon to see how far they can push it. It’s a move that risks alienating the very people the military depends on.
Then there’s the question of what exactly the Pentagon hopes to achieve. Are they digging for dirt? Looking to manufacture a charge? This is a witch hunt, plain and simple. They’re trying to silence a voice of dissent, to intimidate anyone who might question their authority. If the Pentagon had any legal ground to stand on, they would have said, “we don’t give illegal orders”. Instead, they try to investigate the people who tell our military men and women not to follow them.
Ultimately, this whole episode is a distraction. It’s an attempt to deflect attention from the real issues, the real threats to our democracy. It’s a sign of weakness, not strength. It is clear that this is an intimidation tactic, and it won’t work. The real criminals should be investigated.