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Pentagon threatens to prosecute Senator Mark Kelly by recalling him to Navy service
Reuters.com ^ | November 25, 202510:56 AM CS | Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

Posted on 11/25/2025 11:55:38 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

Summary

WASHINGTON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Monday threatened to recall U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, to active duty status in order to prosecute him after what it described as seditious behavior by the former astronaut and decorated veteran.

Kelly, who denies any wrongdoing and who said in a statement he would not be intimidated, joined five other Democrats in Congress with backgrounds in the U.S. military and intelligence community to urge U.S. troops to refuse any illegal orders.

Kelly's November 18 video message came amid heightened concerns among Democrats, echoed privately by some U.S. military officials, that the Trump administration is violating the law by ordering the U.S. military to kill suspected drug traffickers in strikes on their vessels in Latin American waters.

The Pentagon says those strikes are justified because the drug smugglers are considered terrorists.

The Pentagon statement said it was reviewing "serious allegations of misconduct" against Kelly. While it did not say what charges Kelly could face if it took such an extraordinary step, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted remarks on X accusing Kelly and the other lawmakers of sedition.

"The video made by the 'Seditious Six' was despicable, reckless, and false," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X.

"Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of 'good order and discipline.'"

President Donald Trump has also accused Kelly and the other Democrats of sedition, saying in a social media post that the crime was punishable by death.

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, sedition and mutiny are among the most serious offenses and can be punishable by death.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: captainpeterblood; captainrinoblood; markkelly; sedition; vmpolesov; vmpolesov4markkelly

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1 posted on 11/25/2025 11:55:38 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Let’s be generous and spare him prison time if he resigns hos Senate seat by midnight today.


2 posted on 11/25/2025 11:59:18 AM PST by montag813
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“the former astronaut and decorated veteran.”

…whatever Rotor Rooters


3 posted on 11/25/2025 11:59:50 AM PST by albie
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To: montag813

wouldn’t help, Katie the communist Hobbs would just appoint an even worse communist as his replacement


4 posted on 11/25/2025 12:01:38 PM PST by Jeff Vader
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“the former astronaut and decorated veteran.”

He’s just another communist cuckold.....spit.
Hope they throw the book at him in a military tribunal.


5 posted on 11/25/2025 12:03:22 PM PST by lgjhn23 ("On the 8th day, Satan created the progressive liberal to destroy all the good that God created...")
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To: All

The Pentagon is currently investigating U.S. Senator Mark Kelly for participating in a video that urged military members to refuse “illegal orders” and has suggested he could be recalled to active duty to face punishment, including a court-martial.

The situation is developing as of November 24-25, 2025:
The Allegation: Senator Kelly, a retired Navy Captain and former NASA astronaut, appeared in a video with five other Democratic lawmakers (also veterans/former intelligence officials) reminding service members of their duty to disobey unlawful orders.

The Pentagon’s Position: The Department of Defense (DOD) initiated a “thorough review” into Kelly, citing “serious allegations of misconduct” and suggesting his statements interfered with the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces”.

Potential Punishments: Since Kelly is a retired commissioned officer, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) under certain circumstances and could be recalled to active duty to face Court-martial proceedings.

Kelly has dismissed the move as an intimidation tactic, stating that he has risked his life for the country and will not be “silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution”.

Military law experts note that service members are, in fact, required to refuse “patently illegal” orders. The core of the issue is whether the video’s contents constitute a challenge to the military’s chain of command and good order and discipline, or simply a restatement of existing military law.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is not yet certain if formal charges will be brought or what the final outcome will be.


6 posted on 11/25/2025 12:06:42 PM PST by Liz ("Socialism is a wonderful idea. It's just that it's been disastrous." Thomas Sowell. )
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To: Liz

contrary voice here. I have not seen the video or read the article (of course) but what is controversial about saying you would refuse an illegal order?


7 posted on 11/25/2025 12:07:56 PM PST by vmpolesov
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“We are gonna punish Kelly by making him join the navy again”

Did anyone else spit out their drink reading that?


8 posted on 11/25/2025 12:08:32 PM PST by mitchjackson1972
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To: Liz
will not be “silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution”.

Who is he referring too, Schiff or Pelosi, or Biden or Wray/Comey ?

9 posted on 11/25/2025 12:09:09 PM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: mitchjackson1972
“We are gonna punish Kelly by making him join the navy again” Did anyone else spit out their drink reading that?

I immediately checked to see if this was from the Bee.

10 posted on 11/25/2025 12:10:18 PM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: vmpolesov

what is controversial about saying you would refuse an illegal order?


Not yet determined if order was “illegal.”


11 posted on 11/25/2025 12:10:33 PM PST by Liz ("Socialism is a wonderful idea. It's just that it's been disastrous." Thomas Sowell. )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If the Pentagon is doing to do it, then JUST DO IT!!!!! So tired of talk!


12 posted on 11/25/2025 12:11:44 PM PST by LoveMyFreedom
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If you’re gonna do it, don’t talk about it.

He should have been recalled and in custody and then the news released.

Now I lay it down to empty b*******.


13 posted on 11/25/2025 12:11:51 PM PST by Lowell1775
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To: Liz

“Recalled to Active Duty”——
Fascinating!
.
Oath Keepers comes to mind.
Interesting


14 posted on 11/25/2025 12:15:09 PM PST by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
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To: Liz

I see. well it’s flexing and turning up the rhetoric a notch but Mark Kelly has not crossed any lines as far as I can determine.


15 posted on 11/25/2025 12:16:21 PM PST by vmpolesov
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Don’t threaten. Just do it.
Jeez.


16 posted on 11/25/2025 12:17:35 PM PST by moviefan8
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

is Kelly in any reserve unit?


17 posted on 11/25/2025 12:20:24 PM PST by RockyTx
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
It is not a recall to service. Mark Kelly is on the retired list and is receiving retired PAY. He is NOT receiving a pension even though people in the media seem to think he is doing so. People on the retired list are subject to recall to active duty. And yes, the UCMJ applies to people whoare on the retired list as well as those on the active list.
18 posted on 11/25/2025 12:20:25 PM PST by MIchaelTArchangel
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To: Lowell1775

I agree.

Trump needs to follow Tuco’s advice in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

When you have to shoot, shoot; don’t talk.


19 posted on 11/25/2025 12:20:49 PM PST by moviefan8
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To: mitchjackson1972

No the plan would be to reactivate him then court marshal him.


20 posted on 11/25/2025 12:27:26 PM PST by iamgalt
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