Trump Administration Issues Warning to Senator Mark Kelly Over Pentagon Criticism
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly threatened potential repercussions for Senator Mark Kelly following his public comments regarding actions taken during the Trump administration, specifically concerning military operations in the Caribbean and Venezuela. The escalating tension stems from a recently circulated video featuring Democratic lawmakers, including Kelly and Elissa slotkin, engaging with national Guard members and military personnel expressing concerns about potentially unlawful orders.
The incident underscores a growing rift between some Democrats and elements within the Pentagon, especially regarding the legality of past directives issued under former President Donald Trump. Senator Slotkin,defending herself and her colleagues in an ABC News interview,stated she was approached by service members-some affiliated with Latin American military units-who questioned the legitimacy of their assignments. While acknowledging she wasn’t aware of any definitively illegal orders, Slotkin referenced “legal maneuvers related to the attacks in the Caribbean and everything to do with Venezuela.”
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth swiftly condemned the video on X, labeling it “despicable, reckless and wrong.” Sources indicate the Defense Department views the lawmakers’ engagement with service members as a potential breach of protocol and a challenge to military authority, prompting the warning to Senator Kelly. The situation raises questions about the extent to which the Biden administration will defend lawmakers critical of past Trump administration policies and the boundaries of civilian oversight over the military. further developments are expected as the Pentagon clarifies its position and lawmakers respond to the perceived threat.