AZ Lawmakers Accuse Kelly of Undermining Military

A coalition of Arizona state lawmakers issued a joint letter Monday sharply condemning U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s participation in a political video that they say weaponizes servicemembers and undermines the chain of command. The letter comes as Kelly faces an active Pentagon investigation into whether his involvement violates military law. The list of Arizona Senate leaders included some serious firepower: President Warren Petersen, Senate President Pro Tem TJ Shope, Majority Leader John Kavanagh, Majority Whip Frank Carroll, and senators Kevin Payne, Janae Shamp, Mark Finchem, and Shawnna Bolick. Representing the House were: Majority Leader Michael Carbone, Nick Kupper, Quang Nguyen, James Taylor, and Former Majority Leaders Rick Gray and Sonny Borrelli.

The only Arizona Democrat to chime in is U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, who responded to an X post by Pete Hegseth regarding the military’s investigation, posting, “F*** you and your investigation.”

In the letter dated November 24, 2025, the lawmakers opened with a direct rebuke of Kelly’s actions, stating, “The decision to use military service members as political props in a video implying that the Commander-in-Chief may issue illegal orders crosses a line that should have never been approached.”

Kelly appears in a Democratic video urging troops to refuse “unlawful orders.” The Arizona lawmakers argue this messaging is designed to cast suspicion on President Donald J. Trump without any factual basis. The letter states:

“By leaving ‘unlawful orders’ vague and undefined, the video aims to plant suspicion before any order has even been given. The unmistakable implication is that President Donald J. Trump is preparing to issue illegal commands. That insinuation is false.”

They warn that the video encourages doubt within the ranks:

“Worse, it encourages doubt in the chain of command itself — a foundational threat to military discipline and national readiness.”

Kelly, a retired Navy captain, remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Pentagon has confirmed that he is under investigation for potential misconduct related to the video. This inquiry could legally trigger a recall to active duty or a court-martial.

The Arizona letter cites the federal sedition statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits attempts to cause “insubordination, disloyalty, or refusal of duty” among the armed forces. Lawmakers write:

“The Democrat video’s messaging — encouraging troops to question the lawfulness of hypothetical orders from a lawfully elected President — edges disturbingly close to that line.”

They also point to recent remarks from President Trump, who characterized such conduct as “seditious behavior, punishable by death,” citing long-standing U.S. legal doctrine on attempts to undermine military obedience.

The letter’s authors argue the messaging is reckless at a moment of heightened global instability:

“Inciting confusion within the ranks during periods of global instability can jeopardize missions, risk American lives, and compromise national security in ways Congress has long recognized as gravely dangerous.”

The lawmakers also situate their concerns within the broader political context, writing that it is “impossible to ignore the timing,” noting that Democrats recently elevated a “self-described communist” to lead the nation’s largest city.

“The American people are watching these choices, and they are rightly alarmed.”

They emphasize that trust in the chain of command is not theoretical, but essential:

“Those of us who have served in uniform understand the stakes. The trust in the chain of command is the backbone of military readiness.”

The letter concludes by calling on Kelly to publicly retract his participation in the video and disavow rhetoric that could erode military discipline:

“We strongly urge you to publicly clarify your intent, retract your participation in this video, and reassure the American people that you do not support rhetoric that risks eroding discipline within our armed forces.”

It adds a final, unified warning:

“At this moment in history, leaders who undermine the chain of command — whether intentionally or through reckless political messaging — must be held accountable.”

The letter is signed by more than a dozen current and former Arizona lawmakers, including Senate President Warren Petersen, Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, former Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, and multiple legislators with military backgrounds.