Video of former astronaut branded 'despicable' as Pentagon launches investigation into him
Topics: Military, Politics, Donald Trump, Social Media, US News
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Shannon Finney/NBC/ Getty Images
Topics: Military, Politics, Donald Trump, Social Media, US News
The US Department of Defense is investigating Senator Mark Kelly after he featured in a controversial video that's gone viral online.
The former NASA astronaut was one of six Democratic lawmakers to call for military and intelligence workers to refuse 'unlawful commands' from the government.
It is not clear which commands they were referring to.
Democrats Elissa Slotkin, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow were also involved in the video, posted to social media last week.
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Directly addressing service members, they said: "Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution.
"And right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.
"Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders... you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution."
The video has been viewed more than 17 million times on X, formerly Twitter.
President Donald Trump slammed it as 'seditious behavior at the highest level' and suggesting it was 'punishable by death.'
Sedition is defined as actions or words intended to stir up resistance, disobedience or revolt against lawful authority.
Now, the Pentagon has confirmed it is reviewing 'serious allegations of misconduct' against Kelly, who served in the Navy between 1986 and 2011.
Working up to the rank of Captain, he flew combat missions during the Gulf War as a naval aviator.
Kelly, along with his identical twin brother Scott, was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1996 and worked in the astronaut corps until his retirement in October 2011.
In November 2020, he was elected as Senator for Arizona.
In a statement, The Department of War said a 'thorough review' has been initiated to 'determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures'.
"This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality," it continued. "Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings."
The statement reiterated that 'military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice] for applicable offenses,' and federal laws prohibit actions 'intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.'
"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 concluded.
"A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order."
Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, responded to the statement via X.
He branded the video as 'despicable, reckless, and false', adding: "Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ - and he knows that."
Hegseth went on to accuse him of 'explicitly using his rank and service affiliation - lending the appearance of authority to his words'.
"Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately," he concluded.
In a statement on his website, Kelly claimed Hegseth's tweet was the first he'd heard of the investigation.
"I also saw the President’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death," he added.
“If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work," he concluded.
"I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.”