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Veteran faces ‘serious allegations of misconduct’ over statement that prompted Trump to call for his imprisonment
Alex Woodwardin New YorkMonday 24 November 2025 17:24 GMTComments
CloseWhite House blames Democrats over Trump's threats of death against 'seditious' lawmakers
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The Department of Defense is performing a “thorough review” of “serious allegations of misconduct” against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a naval veteran and astronaut who joined members of Congress to urge service members to honor their oath to the Constitution.
Kelly and several other lawmakers with military backgrounds issued a video statement last week telling troops they “can and must refuse illegal orders,” emphasizing that threats to constitutional order can emerge “from within.”
President Donald Trump labeled the Democratic officials “traitors” who “SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW” as he raged against them in a series of Truth Social statements in the days that followed. “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!,” he wrote.
Trump also reposted several messages from Truth Social users, including a message demanding the president “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!”
A statement from the Pentagon suggested the retired naval officer could be recalled to active duty “for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”
“This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality,” the Defense Department said in a statement Monday. “Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”
The statement also reminded military retirees that they are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the body of criminal law that governs members of the armed forces, including under federal statutes that “prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”
“Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels,” according to the Pentagon.
Service members have a “legal obligation” to “obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful,” the statement added. “A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.”
This is a developing story
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