GOP senators support Mark Kelly as Pentagon seeks to punish him: 'This is flat-out wrong'

WASHINGTON, DC: Two Republican senators have come to the public defense of their Democratic colleague, Sen Mark Kelly of Arizona, as the Trump administration seeks to punish him over a video he made discussing the military's right to refuse illegal orders.

The defense comes as the Trump administration is even suggesting that Kelly could face a court-martial, while the Democrat strongly stands by his words.

Two key Republican senators comes up for Mark Kelly's defense

Sen Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican and a moderate, threw her support behind Kelly, a former naval aviator and NASA astronaut. “Senator Kelly valiantly served our country as an aviator in the US Navy before later completing four space shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut,” she wrote.

Murkowski strongly denounced the charges, saying, “To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong.”

She further criticized the administration, adding, “The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.”

Likewise, conservative Sen John Curtis (R-Utah) added, “I respect Mark Kelly and appreciate his friendship.” Curtis also emphasized Kelly's background of service and added, "I know him as someone whose career has been defined by service. His record as a combat naval aviator and NASA astronaut reflects his example of the discipline and dedication that are important for success."

Lawmakers' video sparks criminal probe by DoD

The controversy began after Sen Mark Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers recorded a video message in which they told active service members they should refuse "illegal orders."

That has provoked an angry response from President Donald Trump, who has called Kelly and the others guilty of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH,” and even shared a post online showing them hanging.

The DoD said it is reviewing “serious allegations of misconduct” against the decorated US Navy veteran, and on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally asked the Navy secretary to review Kelly's comments for "potentially unlawful conduct."

The FBI has also been involved, seeking interviews with Kelly and the other lawmakers, another unusual development in this political saga. However, the success of these efforts is uncertain: the lawmakers are shielded by the Speech and Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution in regard to their official legislative actions.

Mark Kelly calls Defense Secretary unqualified, vows no retreat

Earlier, appearing on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' Senator Kelly addressed the controversy and the Defense Secretary directly, calling Hegseth "totally unqualified" for the job.

Kelly suggested Hegseth's motivation was purely political, saying, "And from what I can tell in talking to some of my Republican colleagues, I mean, he just wants to please the president."

He insisted that his comments were merely a statement on military law and pledged not to back down from the position, going so far as to tell the late-night host, “I’m not backing down.”

Kelly summed up the exchange, "We said something very simple: Members of the military need to follow the law. We wanted to say that we have their backs. His response? Kill them."

Trump's reaction has inadvertently helped build Kelly's profile in the Democratic Party.

Since the threats, Kelly has appeared on several high-profile news and shows that are popular with liberal audiences, including CBS' 'Face the Nation' and shows hosted by Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and Joe Scarborough.