Chuck Schumer accuses Trump of using Pentagon as 'attack dog' against Mark Kelly
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Defense on Monday, November 24, announced that it is investigating Senator Mark Kelly after a video prompted their response, which he and five other Democratic senators appeared to encourage service members to disobey illegal orders.
According to the announcement, the senator, who is an ex-Navy captain, may be subject to a forced return to active duty and trial under the UCMJ.
In the video, Kelly and other lawmakers insisted that military personnel must protect the Constitution, and therefore, they must refuse any illegal orders.
However, the Pentagon interprets this position as one that could negatively affect the discipline and morale of the armed forces.
Politicians are pushing hard against this investigation
Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, in a loud voice, condemned the probe. He characterized Kelly as a devoted and loyal patriot.
Schumer, on his social media platform, accused the Trump administration of militarizing the military justice system as a weapon to pursue the politics of the left side. He even went on to call President Donald Trump a dictator.
"This is what dictators do. I stand with Sen Kelly, as should any American who doesn’t want to be ruled by a King," Schumer said.
Trump is attempting to use the Pentagon as his personal attack dog.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 24, 2025
Just days after calling for violence against members of Congress.
This is what dictators do.
I stand with Sen. Kelly, as should any American who doesn’t want to be ruled by a King. https://t.co/s4gOHW7o4X
Another local Democratic senator from Arizona, Ruben Gallego, supported Kelly, and on X gave a very direct answer. "They couldn't find a reason to go after him, but they are doing it," Gallego pointed out that Kelly was only telling the soldiers that it was their duty to follow the Constitution.
Fuck you and your investigation. https://t.co/TKiRqUi6Om
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) November 24, 2025
Mark Kelly’s fellow Arizonans weigh in in support
Former US Representative Gabby Giffords, who is Kelly's wife, also added her voice to the call, describing the probe as an intimidation tactic that aims to scare her husband away from upholding the Constitution.
"My husband is a patriot," she tweeted. "He has been our country’s hero since he was 22 years old—no matter how risky the mission."
Intimidation tactics are not going to keep @SenMarkKelly from his duty to protect our constitution.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) November 24, 2025
My husband is a patriot. He’s served our country since he was 22 years old – no matter how dangerous the mission. That’s who he is. Proud of you, sweetie. https://t.co/zZ12iIOSQK
Meanwhile, a letter signed by a group of current and former Arizona state legislators addressed to Kelly expressed their worry about his role in the video that “alarmed veterans, military families, and elected leaders who value the integrity and stability of our armed forces.”
They asked him to explain his purpose and thus formally withdrew his involvement.
Kelly responded to the Pentagon's announcement with a defiant statement. He repeated that his instruction to the troops to resist “illegal orders” is in line with his oath to the Constitution—and implied that the probe might be to get rid of the dissent.
He referred to his extensive career in the military and public service and said, “I have committed too much of my life to this country to be quieted by those who are more concerned with their own power than with protecting the Constitution.”
