Arizona Democrats moved quickly this week to publicly defend Democrat Senator Mark Kelly. A group of congresspeople sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth objecting to what they describe as a Department of Defense investigation into the Arizona senator. The letter, dated Nov. 26 and written on congressional letterhead, was signed by U.S. House Representatives Greg Stanton (D-CD4), Yassamin Ansari (D-CD3), and newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita S. Grijalva (D-CD7).

In the letter, the lawmakers said they were writing in “strong opposition” to what they characterized as the Department’s investigation into Kelly, following a video released by Kelly and five other former military or intelligence officials in Congress. According to the signers, the video restated a principle of U.S. military law: that service members are obligated to follow lawful orders and are not required to carry out unlawful ones. It should be noted that the Democrats chose to address the letter to “Secretary of Defense,” not “Secretary of War,” a further sign of their defiance against the Trump administration.

It also asserts that, after the video was released, senior officials—including President Donald Trump—labeled the video “seditious” and described the lawmakers’ conduct as “punishable by death.” The letter calls such language “reckless,” arguing it “invites political violence” and “endangers public servants,” and it urges the Defense Secretary to stop using what the Members described as dangerous rhetoric.

The authors also praised Kelly’s military and spaceflight career, citing his record as a U.S. Navy combat pilot and astronaut, and argued that reopening or continuing an investigation based on protected speech was inconsistent with the Constitution and the Department’s tradition of nonpartisanship.

They requested that the Department immediately close the investigation, publicly reaffirm that service members are bound only by lawful orders, and clarify that the Department would not be used to punish lawful speech by American citizens who criticize the president.

Gabrielle Giffords, Kelly’s wife and a former member of Congress, issued a statement on X saying intimidation would not stop Kelly from “his duty to protect our Constitution.” She added, “My husband is a patriot. He’s served our country since he was 22 years old—no matter how dangerous the mission.”

Arizona State House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos (D-11) also weighed in, calling Kelly a “distinguished and brave Navy combat pilot” and contrasting Kelly’s military record with Trump’s history, writing that Arizona “knows the difference between courage and cowardice.”

Democrats argue that the video in question by the Democratic lawmakers, who have been dubbed by the critics as the “seditious 6,” merely restated settled law. Republicans and administration allies have characterized it differently. The resolution of this dispute will shape boundaries between civilian political speech, military law, and executive authority.