Mark Kelly accuses Trump of trying to ‘silence’ him over criticism of Iran war strategy
WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Mark Kelly accused President Donald Trump of trying to shut him up in a heated public confrontation over the Iran war, saying the administration was going after vocal critics who question its handling of the conflict.
The Arizona Democrat made the comments in an interview responding to recent attacks from Trump allies and conservative media figures over his criticism of the administration’s military strategy.
Mark Kelly accuses Trump of silencing Iran critics
On MS NOW’s ‘The Briefing,’ Sen Mark Kelly (D-AZ) claimed President Donald Trump was trying to silence him because he can call him out.
Kelly has repeatedly questioned Trump’s handling of the conflict and warned against deeper US military involvement without broader congressional debate.
Host Jen Psaki asked him, “You have been fearless from the beginning in responding to this, but there are a lot of people who formerly served, members of the military, some of whom speak out, some of whom may not want to. Do you think part of this is silencing other people, scaring them?"
Kelly said, “They have told me, yeah, I’ve had admirals and generals. Some have been out of the military for a while. Some have recently departed, who have come up to me and have told me that what is happening to me has changed what they say publicly and what they do.”
The senator argued that criticism of the war effort is being treated by some Trump allies as disloyalty rather than legitimate political disagreement.
“I mean, this is a suppression of our most fundamental constitutional right. The First Amendment is the one that kind of ensures the other constitutional rights. And it’s very obvious that this isn’t about me.”
“They’re trying to silence retired service members, 2 million of us that are out there that have a role in our democracy.”
Kelly also framed the dispute as part of a larger pattern involving Trump’s public attacks on political opponents, journalists, and former officials who challenge his administration.
Mark Kelly says Trump trying to ‘intimidate’ him
The former Navy combat pilot argued that the situation goes beyond politics and touches on constitutional rights, particularly free speech protections under the First Amendment.
“The president wants to shut us up,” Kelly claimed, while referencing remarks and criticism he says have been directed at him in recent weeks.
“The president wants to shut us up. That’s why he can say something like, I should be hanged because he thinks that’s going to intimidate me.”
“But I’ve said it a thousand times. I’m not going to be intimidated. I’m not going to be silenced. I am sticking up for the constitutional rights of 2 million retired service members and really for all of us.”
“And I hope other people aren’t silenced too.”
Despite that pressure, Kelly insisted he would continue speaking publicly against the administration’s Iran strategy.
