Arizona Senator Stands Firm on Troops' Rights Message

Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona is making waves after a video he made with other Democrats. In the video, he told U.S. troops they have the right to refuse illegal orders. This didn't sit well with some people, especially Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Hegseth said Kelly's actions were "seditious" and gave him a formal warning.

Consequences for Kelly

Kelly, a retired Navy captain, is still bound by military rules. This means he could face consequences, like a pay cut or even being called back to active duty. But Kelly isn't backing down. He said he and his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, don't "back down from any fight."

Nonpartisan Message or Not?

Kelly's message was meant to be nonpartisan, but not everyone saw it that way. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior" and even suggested the Democrats involved should be "in jail." Kelly found this response surprising, as he believed the president would agree with his statements about not following illegal orders.

Trump's Reaction and Kelly's Response

The video sparked a lot of controversy. Trump even shared a post calling for the participants to be hanged, although he later clarified he wasn't threatening death. Kelly found this response "un-American" and said it sent a "chilling message."

Kelly's Next Steps

Kelly is not taking this lying down. He plans to fight any punishment and might even file an appeal or a lawsuit. He believes Hegseth and Trump are sending a message to all retired servicemembers: if they say something the administration doesn't like, they could face consequences.