And what’s wrong (as a violation of someones’ right(s) ) with saying, “If nothing comes of this through channel A, I’ll see to it channel B opens up” ?
Under the UCMJ, the only “undue influence” is from the chain of command whose statements could be considered as “an order” to the members serving on the court-martial jury. A senator’s comments cannot be considered ‘an order’ because he is not in the military chain of command; even if he is a retired officer.