Sedition. Duty. Loyalty.
What started as a simple video from six Democratic veterans—reminding troops they don’t have to follow illegal orders—has exploded into a full-blown national controversy involving Donald Trump, Senator Mark Kelly, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. And somehow…it’s getting worse.
This week, the Pentagon announced it is investigating Mark Kelly over that video and is even considering recalling him to active duty so he can be punished or court-martialed. Yes, really.
In this video, I break down:
👉 How this controversy started
👉 Why Trump is accusing these officials of “sedition”
👉 What’s really behind the Pentagon’s investigation
👉 Why Mark Kelly is being singled out
👉 What it tells us about Trump’s willingness to use the machinery of government against political enemies
👉 And why this moment is deeply dangerous, no matter your party
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It's all BS. They did nothing illegal.
Bone Spurs tasking his alcoholic Ken Doll with going after these people pretty much proves their point for them. Also, Chris, your confusion about the why of the "illegal orders" video is a strong indicator that you need to do a bit more research.
"Using the powers of the government to target people he doesn't like" …. ummm, again, how is it possible in your country that one person is able to be given that power in the first place?!!
Wtf is wrong with you people?!
Change your system so that no president has singular power to do ANYT without Congress and legal approval/consensus!
Ffs!
Epstein
Trump expects everyone to serve him, not the country. And I mean everyone.
"It didn't seem like it was pegged to a specific news event…" I don't know why people are talking as though the video was predicated on nothing. The boat bombings are illegal. Other executive branch staff (DOJ and DHS) have also been following illegal marching orders — good reason to think military servicemen might be next.
Can Recall Pete back to the military too.. lol
really, Mr. Cilliza . . . ??
why make the video and release it? BECAUSE the president is tasking the military with illegal orders . . . blowing up boats in international waters is NOT legal . . . bombing Iran was NOT legal . . . thus, the video . . . to reinforce the point that people do NOT should NOT and must NOT follow illegal orders . . . people are right to lawyer up . . . and the video is a reminder to everyone about the point made with the video . . . 🤦♂️🤦🤦♀️
In the last couple of weeks I sensed Trump was ruminating about taking actions against more average citizens who criticize him – not just high level government officials and legislators. I suspected it would be maybe podcasters, online commenters, protestors, etc. I was wondering if he was going to start dragging US citizens out of their houses to punish them or make them disappear. These people would not be a subject of ICE, as they are US citizens, but would need perhaps the military or some other enforcement body to take such action and do his dirty work. This is what I thought the Senators and Congresspersons were addressing in their PSA. I believe, by making the PSA, Trump feels his use of the military in this manner is being undermined before it starts, as well it should be, and he is furious.
"Doesn't matter if it's Joe Biden" last I checked Joe was retired. The F has he got to do with it
Hegseth is acting like Sobel in Band of Brothers. He will lose both on the federal court and at court martial. He forgets there are laws. Kelly needs to sue and hall Hegseth in front of Congress.
Soldiers and Sailors are required NOT to obey illegal orders.
Members of the military don’t need to follow illegal orders. That is a fact. Plain and simple.
You don't know why he made the video and you supposed to be an independent media he made the video letting troops know that you have cover for illegal orders which are coming now I know you r smarter than that you know illegal orders are coming
Chris your starting to lose your independence. Can you please sight an example from the past where politicians created a video similar to this trying to stir problems in the military.
In Trump’s first term he urged his Defence Secretary Esper to shoot American protesters in the legs.
Hummmmmmm …. What can we do this week to distract from that nasty Epstein thing???
The video was reminding active duty members to follow the law that they are not to follow illegal orders. This is a fundamental right in the armed services. It is a fundamental principle in warfare that creates a moral and just war machine. It also allows our military to operate with peak strength and efficiency to win wars. Also, this is not a political threat. It is an intimidation threat to the military. Do as I say or you will be court marshaled. Because if an American Hero can be court marshaled, anyone can be court marshaled.
Finally, I believe it is not possible for military courts to follow thru because it is illegal.
Trump is threatening certain people to intimidate many people.
The clear message is that the Republicans want military personal to follow all orders – legal or illegal. Why would they push this message so hard?
Not surprised, just disappointed, frustrated and scared.
I said previously that this PSA was poorly executed. Not so much that it was a bad idea, just should have been done differently. All that was accomplished was to give TRUMP and his criminal crew talking points. Guess what? It did!
Considering the increase in soldiers talking to lawyers about illegal orders, Kelly didnt tell them anything they didnt know.
@ChrisC I’m sure you meant that to say that Mark Kelly earned his medals, not won them…
Good grief: psycho politicos!
Why is this question even being asked.
If the DOD tries to implement a non-judicial punishment, Kelly will demand a court-martial, as guaranteed in the UCMJ. That is a loser for Hegseth and Trump. I really don't understand why Trump is keeping this in the news. Trump's core MAGA base have already convicted Kelly in their minds, so you aren't going to gain any advantage there. Non-MAGA are going to see an ever more unhinged Trump, acting in a manner that demonstrates Kelly was right to be concerned about a president who could issue illegal orders. And, if Trump pushes to the bitter end, Kelly will prevail in a court-martial, further embarrassing Trump. Wait, what am I thinking. Trump is incapable of not acting like a big baby, even when it is against his best interest.
Don't throw the first punch and then whine and complain when the other person throws eight punches back at you, that's just basic common sense.
You know perfectly there's nothing serious or rational in this "administration". Asking the question is just the classical case of both-sides-ism that we continue to see. Mr. Kelly a pilot, astronaut, senator, a lifetime of service. Petey is just a cosplayer ordering the bombing of fishing boats. No sane comparison between the two can be made.
As a UK subscriber this is simply the best independent sum up of US politics anywhere.
"Sir, what is your reasoning behind this?"
".. I AM DE LAW!!" – Trump (Proceeds to take bite out of Big Mac.)
Yet again, Democrats aren't taking the opening Trump's foolishness has made.
Wouldn’t any military court that receives this “case” will laugh the prosecution out of the room? It’s all so dumb
It’s manufactured outrage to distract from Epstein. The regime also wants to intimidate the rank and file military to unquestioningly follow Trumps orders. This is preparations for ‘28 or even ‘26 elections.
Not sure why Article 2 necessarily gives the policing power to the executive. That power could be under the judiciary and would dovetail well the Presidents power to check abuse through pardon. Trump has made it obvious that policing power needs to be removed from the executive branch.
As Mark Kelly said last night in Kimmel, they are going to try punishing him with the UCMJ because he quoted the UCMJ. What absolute BS.
No, trying to overturn the results of an election through violence and sacking the Capitol is sedition. Every accusation a confession, etc. etc.
To remind Hegseth, assuming he wasn't too drunk at the time to remember…. I specifically draw your attention to the words " according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice" here is the oath sailors and soldiers swear: "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Both sides should realise the executive should be grossly limited in power after this. Just because it’s a nut on the right now, the GOP should be worried of a nut on the (American) left.
That video showed extremely poor judgment on the part of Mark Kelly. It’s not up to elected officials to admonish troops about what orders to follow.
Trump attacking members of Congress and threatening former military is like a King. #NoKings
what is he, a dad trying to whip his kid? GTFO
Trump needs taken out of office.
Thanks, Chris.
How did we get here? We got here because our bigoted half of the country reelected a narcissistic manchild. Why did our Democratic leaders do this video in a vacuum? They knew that this narcissistic manchild would use the power of his office to get back at them. I summarized your fallacy babble. You’re welcome.
This is simply more of the effort to silence Trumps critics. This one doesn’t have a chance of being successful!