Army Secretary Questions Senator’s Comments
Recently, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth raised concerns that Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) may have breached his oath following remarks he made after a classified briefing. Kelly indicated that U.S. weapons, including the Tomahawk and Patriot munitions, are facing significant damage and that recovery could take years, which might affect future U.S.-China relations.
Hegseth questioned whether Kelly, a former Navy pilot, inadvertently violated his oath, stating that Defense Department attorneys are set to review his comments. He called out Kelly on the platform X, suggesting that the senator spoke “falsely and stupidly” about classified issues, adding, “Did he break his oath…again?”
This controversy is part of an ongoing dispute regarding a video featuring Kelly and other Democrats urging military personnel to disregard illegal orders. The Justice Department had initiated an investigation into the video, which showcased lawmakers with military backgrounds advocating for defiance against unlawful commands.
In that video, Kelly, alongside Senators Elissa Slotkin, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow, expressed that the current threats to the Constitution stem not only from abroad but also from within. They emphasized the importance of rejecting unlawful orders, framing it as a constitutional right.
A grand jury decided against charges related to the video back in February. However, the Pentagon’s investigation into Kelly began in November, citing a federal law that could allow for the recalling of veterans to active duty under certain conditions. Following this, Hegseth sought to have him retroactively demoted for his video participation, which normalizes the refusal of illegal orders as a military standard.
Yet, a federal court ruling blocked the Pentagon from proceeding with Kelly’s demotion, indicating that it likely infringed on Kelly’s First Amendment rights and those of other veterans. Hegseth has since appealed this decision, showing a determined stance in this ongoing issue.
In a recent hearing, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit appeared unconvinced by Hegseth’s efforts to sanction Kelly over the video. In response to the hearing, Kelly reiterated, “I’m not going to back down from this fight.” Meanwhile, reactions to the video from some lawmakers have been intense, with accusations of treason and threats of severe repercussions being thrown around.
As for Slotkin, her situation escalated to the point where she received a bomb threat shortly after the video’s release and the ensuing backlash. Despite the storm of controversy, Kelly has remained steadfast, continuously affirming his stance.
