Photo by Gage Skidmore
By USA Today
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly alleged that President Donald Trump is sending a “message” that Americans can’t criticize their government − after the Pentagon last week opened an investigation into the Arizona Democrat that could include recalling him to active duty for court-martial proceedings.
“They’re trying to send a message to retired service members, to government employees, to members of the military, to elected officials, and to all Americans who are thinking about speaking up, you better keep your mouth shut, or else,” Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, said at a Dec. 1 press conference on Capitol Hill.
The Pentagon announced last week that it was investigating Kelly for “serious allegations of misconduct.” The move came after Kelly joined a group of Democratic lawmakers who released a video telling service members they have the right not to obey orders they believe to be illegal.
Trump’s War Department in a post on X last week confirmed it would begin an investigation into Kelly that could “include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.” The post cited the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the federal law that outlines the military’s criminal code.
