Pentagon says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly after video urging troops to defy ‘illegal orders’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says that it is investigating Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona for possible breaches of military law after Kelly joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called for U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders.

The Pentagon’s statement, which was posted on social media on Monday, cited a federal law that allows retired servicemembers to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary. Kelly served in the US Navy as a fighter pilot before going on to become an astronaut. He retired at the rank of Captain.

It is extraordinary for the Pentagon, which until the second Trump term has usually gone out of its way to act and appear apolitical, to directly threated a sitting member of Congress.

In its statement, the Pentagon suggested that Kelly’s statements in the video interfered with the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces” by citing the federal law that prohibits such actions.

“A thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures,” the statement said.