‘Mistake’: Mark Kelly grills Trump over South Korea drill cut for Kim Jong friendship
WASHINGTON, DC: After President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to cut back the US-South Korea military drill, Democratic Senator from Arizona Mark Kelly questioned the President’s vision, describing the decision as shortsightedness and a mistake.
Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for condemning the drills, and also noted on Truth Social that South Korea declined his request to help the US denuclearize Iran.
Ret Captain Mark Kelly blasts Trump over South Korea drill
Senator Mark Kelly, who is also a retired Navy captain, blasted the president’s decision to substantially reduce the military drills with South Korea as “shortsighted” and a “mistake.”
“North and South Korea are still technically at war,” Kelly wrote Sunday in a post on the social platform X. “Our ability to help defend our ally against the North Koreans is because our forces are well trained and able to coordinate with the South Koreans.”
North and South Korea are still technically at war. Our ability to help defend our ally against the North Koreans is because our forces are well trained and able to coordinate with the South Koreans. Hollowing out these joint exercises is shortsighted and a mistake. pic.twitter.com/VLO3t7Ghbf
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) August 16, 2026
“Hollowing out these joint exercises is shortsighted and a mistake,” he added, in line with other Democratic lawmakers who have pushed back on the drawdown.
Earlier, Kelly fumed over Trump’s direction to the Navy to switch back to the older system of launching aircraft off the aircraft carriers.
I’ve launched off the front of aircraft carriers hundreds of times, have a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, and am a test pilot and even I wouldn’t suggest to the Navy how to engineer specific systems on its ships. Donald Trump should stick to what he knows best —… https://t.co/qLkdRNRrer
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) August 13, 2026
“He’s a marginally failed real estate developer with multiple bankruptcies,” Kelly said in an interview with MS NOW on Thursday, August 13. “He shouldn’t be weighing in on systems, on aircraft carriers.”
Trump orders Hegseth to substantially reduce drill with South Korea
Trump earlier Sunday directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the joint military exercises with South Korea.
The annual joint exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, began Monday and are expected to run until Aug 27 with a focus on modern warfare threats like cyberattacks, drone activity and GPS disruption.
"These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
Sen Andy Kim (D-N.J) said the move signals a “disregard” for the relationship developed with South Korea.
“Decisions about joint exercises need to be made jointly — and not announced unilaterally by social media,” Kim wrote online. “I will continue to press this administration to strengthen our security, economic, trade, and technology ties – which all benefit the American people and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”
While Kelly referred to threats posed to Seoul by North Korea, Trump said the latter country, led by dictator Kim Jong Un, has been “unthreatening and respectful” throughout his administration.
