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

Hegseth called the lawmakers’ video reckless and said Kelly’s statements and actions were under review.

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
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Pete Hegseth R · Secretary of Defense

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 11

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

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SWIPE →
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

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

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

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

Kelly'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

9 OUTLETS
Pentagon Threatens Military Prosecution of Senator Mark Kelly

Outlets agree the Pentagon opened a review of Sen. Mark Kelly after he appeared in a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders; Hegseth said Kelly’s conduct would be reviewed. Left-leaning outlets frame the review as a threat following Kelly’s statement about refusing illegal orders. Center outlets largely report the review, possible military proceedings and responses from Kelly and Hegseth, with Reuters noting legal experts differ. Right-leaning outlets emphasize alleged misconduct and military discipline; one article also notes lawmakers have not identified a specific illegal order.

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