Last week, several Democrats just about broke the internet with a video telling members of the military to refuse orders from War Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.
Now, it has been announced that Hegseth wants to recall Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) to active duty so he can have him court-martialed.
Members of Congress on both the left and right are now calling Hegseth out over the plan.
There is no doubt in my mind that Sen. Kelly was out of line in taking part in the video, but it was little more than a political stunt to provoke a response from Trump, and it worked.
Now, Hegseth has announced an investigation into Kelly, with the possibility of recalling him to service in order to court-martial him.
The Pentagon stated, "This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality.”
The statement continued, "The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses. A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order."
Kelly’s fellow Arizona Democrat senator, Ruben Gallego, was furious over the announcement from Hegseth.
He addressed the secretary directly, stating, “You will never, ever, ever even be half the man that Sen. Kelly is."
Gallego continued, “You, sir, are a coward! And the fact that you are following this order from the president shows how big of a coward you are. And I can’t wait ’til you no longer are the secretary of defense.”
Gallego is also a veteran, having served in the Marines.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force brigadier general, was also critical of the announcement from Hegseth and the Pentagon, stating, “Amateur hour once again at the Department of Defense.”
He continued, “I thought the video by six Dems was unnecessary and foolish. But the threats of sedition charges and courts martial in response are also crazy. Let’s show some common sense and restraint.”
Was the video out of line? Absolutely. Should those in the video be investigated and possibly removed from Congress? I would fully support that. Is court-martialing over the top? I would lean toward a yes on that.
I think this is Hegseth playing to the MAGA base. I have a lot of military friends, most of them conservatives, and not a single one of them backs recalling Kelly to active duty for the sake of court-martialing him. Having said that, they also agree that his comments were out of line. I am open to suggestions on this one. What would you recommend be done to these former military and intelligence officials who pleaded with the military to defy orders from their superiors?
