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Pentagon threatens to court martial Sen. Mark Kelly over 'illegal orders' video that sparked Trump and MAGA fury

The Pentagon is reviewing allegations against Kelly over a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.

Pentagon threatens to court martial Sen. Mark Kelly over 'illegal orders' video that sparked Trump and MAGA fury
Image · The Independent

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Outlet credibilityThe Independent77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 13, 2026
tl;dr

The Pentagon says it is reviewing allegations against Sen. Mark Kelly and has suggested he could be recalled to active duty for court-martial proceedings over a video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. The threat follows public attacks by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Kelly and other lawmakers.

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37 VOTES
How does this story look for
Mark Kelly D · AZ · SEN

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 31

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Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

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Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator facing a Pentagon review over his remarks in a video to service members

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary who criticized the video and said Kelly’s conduct would be addressed

Hegseth's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who attacked the lawmakers after their video and called for their arrest and trial

Trump's version of this story ↗
Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Senator who joined Kelly and other lawmakers in the video

Representative who joined the video

Representative who joined the video

Jamie Raskin
D · MD-8

Representative who argued that prosecuting Kelly under Article 88 would violate legislators’ constitutional immunity

Representative who joined the video

White House press secretary who defended Trump’s response and criticized the lawmakers’ message

Ruben Gallego
D · AZ · SEN

Senator who publicly rebuked Hegseth over the investigation

Jason Crow
D · CO-6

Representative who joined the video

ALSO MENTIONED  Gabby Giffords, Former representative and Kelly’s wife, mentioned in background about his retirement from active duty

Part of a bigger story

29 OUTLETS
Pentagon Opens Review of Mark Kelly Over Military Video

Outlets on the left, center and right agree that the Pentagon opened a review of Sen. Mark Kelly after he appeared in a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon says the review could lead to recalling him to active duty for a court-martial. Left-leaning outlets cast the review and possible court-martial as intimidation or pressure on Kelly, with some noting potential political benefits to him. Center outlets mostly recount the inquiry and possible recall, while some focus on legal uncertainty and FBI interviews. Right-leaning outlets more often emphasize criticism of Kelly’s video and present possible discipline as accountability, though some use descriptive reporting.

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