War Dept probes Sen. Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video
The Pentagon has opened a review of Sen. Mark Kelly over a video in which he appears to give "illegal orders" after President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed an inquiry. Kelly has shrugged off threats of a court-martial, saying his upbringing made him "resilient," while Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats warned Navy Secretary John Phelan that the probe risks politicizing the military justice system, calling it a "brazen abuse of power" and noting Phelan was to brief Hegseth by Dec. 10.
📌 Key Facts
- Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats sent a letter on Tuesday to Navy Secretary John Phelan warning that the Pentagon’s probe of Sen. Mark Kelly risks politicizing the military justice system.
- The probe concerns Sen. Mark Kelly in connection with an 'illegal orders' video.
- The letter says President Trump’s and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to investigate Kelly is a "brazen abuse of power."
- The Democrats’ letter also argues that public comments by Trump and Hegseth have made an impartial review "impossible."
- The letter notes Phelan was to brief Hegseth by Dec. 10 and frames the review as a "purely political exercise."
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 19.5% of active-duty US military personnel, compared to 19.1% of the total US population in 2024.
2023 Demographics Report — Military OneSource
In 2023, Black or African American individuals comprised 17.6% of active-duty US military personnel, compared to 13.7% of the total US population in 2024.
2023 Demographics Report — Military OneSource
The percentage of Arizona's population that is Hispanic or Latino increased from 29.6% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2022.
In 2023, there were approximately 307,000 unauthorized immigrants living in Arizona, with the vast majority (77%) being Mexican nationals.
Phoenix unauthorized immigrant population hit 225K in 2023 — Axios
📰 Sources (2)
- Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats sent a letter to Navy Secretary John Phelan on Tuesday warning the Pentagon’s probe of Sen. Mark Kelly risks politicizing the military justice system.
- The letter calls President Trump’s and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to investigate Kelly a 'brazen abuse of power' and says public comments have made an impartial review 'impossible.'
- The letter notes Phelan was to brief Hegseth by Dec. 10 on the matter and frames the review as a 'purely political exercise.'