Mark Kelly claims ‘graphic, violent’ threats surged after Trump accused him of sedition

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said he and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, are facing a surge in violent threats following President Donald Trump’s calls for Kelly and several other Democrats to be arrested and put on trial.

Kelly, speaking to CNN and later to reporters in Washington, warned that the president’s rhetoric is fueling a dangerous escalation and pushing the country into unprecedented territory.

He said the threats intensified immediately after Trump accused him and other Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior” for releasing a video urging military and intelligence community members not to follow illegal orders. 

Mark Kelly links surge in violent threats to Trump’s rhetoric

Kelly said the situation worsened drastically after President Donald Trump’s posts on Truth Social. “We get more threats now in a single day than we would get in months. And they’re graphic, they’re violent, they’re not only against me, but they’re against Gabby, and we’re no strangers to political violence,” he said.

He pointed to one Trump post calling their video “seditious behavior at the highest level” and “punishable by death.” Kelly condemned the remarks as dangerous and unprecedented. 

He noted that Trump himself “was nearly killed,” and had previously called for political rhetoric to be dialed back, yet “didn’t even make it to Thanksgiving before he’s calling for us to be hanged. Have we ever heard a president of the United States calling for the execution of members of Congress?” he told CNN.

Kelly added that threats against Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011, have also surged. “She gets threats on her life more so today because of what Donald Trump said about me 10 days ago: that I should be hanged, that I should be executed,” he told reporters.

Mark Kelly says he won’t be intimidated by Trump or Pete Hegseth

Kelly said Trump’s rhetoric is aimed at intimidating lawmakers and silencing criticism. “He wants to shut people up, but he’s not going to shut me up. I’m not going to be intimidated by him or Pete Hegseth and his threats to court martial me,” he said.

He added that Trump should focus on everyday economic issues rather than launching inflammatory attacks. “The only way this ends is for them to turn around and try to focus on the things that matter for the American people… the cost of health care and groceries,” Kelly said.

Kelly also criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for publicly announcing an ongoing Pentagon probe into the video, calling the move “unserious” and inappropriate for an official investigation.

FBI and Pentagon probe Mark Kelly video as senator flags military misconduct risks

The FBI has requested interviews with Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers involved in the video. The Pentagon is also reviewing whether the message amounted to improper instruction to service members.

Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, said the video stemmed from concerns about the legality of recent US military strikes on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean.

He said some reported actions, particularly claims of a secondary strike intended to kill survivors, could amount to a war crime if verified. “I hope what has being reported is not accurate,” Kelly said. “If there were, in fact, as reported, survivors clinging to a damaged vessel, that could be over a line.”

Despite the investigations and threats, Kelly insisted he will continue speaking out. “Enough of the intimidation. Enough of the threats. Enough of your nonsense,” he said. “My job is to fight for them, to stand up for the Constitution, and nothing, nothing is going to stop me from doing my job."