- Pentagon probes Senator Mark Kelly for violations.
- Kelly is retired Navy pilot and astronaut.
- Video urges military to refuse illegal orders.
In a statement regarding Kelly, the Pentagon stated that it had
" entered serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN( Ret.),"
and that"
a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further conduct, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or executive measures."
The statement, posted on X, said:
"This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings."
The action is taken in response to legal concerns raised by the Trump administration's use of National Guard troops in American cities and its deadly attacks on boats thought to be involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean.
The action is taken in response to legal concerns raised by the Trump administration's use of National Guard troops in American cities and its deadly attacks on boats thought to be involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean.
Last week, Kelly, a Democrat elected in 2020, joined five other House and Senate Democrats who also served in the armed forces or an intelligence branch in a video on X. In it, Kelly and the others said:
"This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution."
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq, two Pennsylvania lawmakers, Rep. Chris Deluzio, a former U.S. Navy officer, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a former Air Force officer, as well as Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officers all made appearances in the video.
The only person who may be brought back to active service for a court-martial is Kelly, who has officially retired from the Navy with the rank of captain. It is extremely uncommon for the Pentagon to take such action, and it is uncertain if defense officials will carry out the threat.
Kelly is married to Gabby Giffords, a former Popular representative from Arizona who was nearly taken in an assassination attempt in 2011. Before NASA chose him to be an astronaut, he performed combat operations over Iraq as a nonmilitary flier . He later flew two Space Shuttle operations as an airman and two further as a commander. Scott Kelly, a former NASA astronaut, is his binary family.
What are potential consequences if recalled for court martial proceedings?
He would face formal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice( UCMJ), which governs military labor force, indeed retirees entering benefits. Possible penalties could range from executive warrants to redundancy from the service, penalty of pay and benefits, and confinement depending on the charges' inflexibility.
The disquisition hinges on whether his conduct in the videotape prompting colors to refuse “ illegal orders ” are supposed misconduct snooping with military discipline and fidelity. This case is unusual as it involves a presently serving U.S. assemblyman who's also a sheltered elderly military officer, testing the boundaries of military governance and mercenary political rights.
The process and consequences are serious and could have continuing legal and political ramifications for Kelly depending on the disquisition’s outgrowth.