Kelly states he won’t yield as he undergoes military review

Sen. Mark Kelly Stands Firm on Military Orders

Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, reiterated his stance on the military’s obligation to reject “unlawful orders” during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. He asserted, “I will not back down.” Kelly emphasized, “It’s pretty straightforward. Members of the military are required to obey the law.” He pointed to President Donald Trump’s reaction, labeling it as extreme—stating, “His response was, kill them.”

Six congressional members released a video on social media urging military personnel to resist illegal directives. Trump responded to the video, claiming it “deserves the death penalty” and accused Democratic lawmakers of inciting violence.

The Army has initiated a formal investigation concerning possible misconduct by Kelly, a former Navy officer and astronaut, in connection with the video. Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth took issue with Kelly’s comments about his military background, suggesting he couldn’t wear his uniform properly.

During his chat with Kimmel, Kelly dismissed Hegseth’s critiques. “It’s surprising, in a way,” he remarked, noting the irony of being charged for promoting the Uniform Code of Military Justice after reciting it. “It’s just ridiculous.” Kimmel pressed if Kelly was genuinely worried about repercussions from the Trump administration. Kelly replied, “What concerns me is the reaction and its impact. It seems like a directive to be silent and listen to Trump. That’s not how our system functions. Everyone involves takes an oath to the Constitution, not to any person. Yes, fear can spread, but so can courage and patriotism.”

Kimmel pointed out that many are hesitant to voice their opinions, calling it “totally un-American.” Kelly added, “That’s how democracy crumbles. They’re trying to stifle free speech. This isn’t right. Loyalty lies with the Constitution, not anyone else.”

In a separate interview with Rachel Maddow, Kelly reiterated, “I will not be intimidated.” He remarked, “I stated something quite clear—military members should adhere to the law. In response, Trump implies I deserve execution. But I won’t back down.”