Senator Mark Kelly delivered forceful remarks on Monday, declaring that he would not be intimidated by President Donald Trump or Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as the Pentagon investigates what it has described as “serious allegations of misconduct” involving the Arizona Democrat.
Speaking to reporters, Kelly emphasized that his long military and public-service history made him unwilling to back down. He said no president or administration officials would succeed in silencing him.
The clash traces back to a video released last month in which Kelly and several other Democrats told U.S. service members they had a duty to refuse illegal orders. The message quickly drew the ire of Trump, who labeled it “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”
Kelly responded by sharply criticizing Hegseth, questioning his qualifications to lead the Defense Department. He also demanded answers regarding a lethal U.S. military operation in the Caribbean Sea.
The White House has acknowledged that multiple strikes were carried out on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in September. According to reporting from ABC News, two individuals who survived the initial strike were later killed in follow-up attacks.
Kelly, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued that the situation requires a full public investigation. He pointed to reports indicating Hegseth had verbally authorized a second lethal strike—an allegation he believes must be examined under oath.
During his remarks, Kelly spoke from his experience as a Navy combat pilot, stressing that military personnel must understand international law. He referenced the Law of the Sea and the Geneva Conventions as governing frameworks for maritime engagements.
Kelly added that if the reports of survivors being targeted were accurate, the action could cross legal boundaries. He said he hoped the allegations would ultimately prove untrue but described the situation as deeply concerning.
He highlighted that, in his own military career, he had participated in the destruction of two vessels and had been trained extensively on the rules of engagement. That experience, he suggested, informed his assessment of the Caribbean strikes.
Reporters pressed the White House for clarification following a Washington Post article claiming Hegseth had issued an order to kill all individuals aboard the vessel. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted that characterization.
Leavitt maintained that it was Adm. Mitch Bradley, not Hegseth, who authorized the second strike. She asserted that Bradley acted within his legal authority to eliminate what the administration viewed as a threat to U.S. security.
According to Leavitt, the operation was conducted lawfully and aimed at ensuring the complete destruction of the vessel, which U.S. officials believed was tied to narcotics trafficking.
Kelly was also questioned about whether his earlier video—to refuse illegal orders—was connected to the Caribbean incident. He insisted the message had no relation to that operation or to Hegseth personally.
However, Kelly argued that the American public is entitled to understand the legal justification for the strikes. He noted that certain details have only been shared with lawmakers in classified settings.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to transparency and oversight, saying that the gravity of the allegations requires clear answers from the Defense Department and the administration.
