Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is under investigation following the Department of War receiving allegations of misconduct.
“A thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures,” the Pentagon said in a statement on social media. “This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”
“All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful,” the statement adds. “A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.”
During a recent interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Kelly discussed a video released by Democratic lawmakers urging service members to refuse what the lawmakers considered to be “illegal orders.”
“All we said is, we reiterated what basically is the rule of law,” he said noting that “members of the military should not, cannot follow illegal orders.”
Following the video’s release, President Trump labeled the lawmakers as “traitors.”
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” Trump declared. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”
“This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” Trump added in a later post.
