Mark Kelly is a famous person in the United States. He is a US Senator from the state of Arizona. Before becoming a politician, he had an amazing career. Mark Kelly was a Navy fighter pilot. He was also a NASA astronaut.
Now, Senator Kelly is in the news for a different reason. He is being investigated by the Pentagon. The Pentagon is the home of the US military. Some people have even accused him of a very serious crime called sedition. This is because of a video he made.
Who is this man, Mark Kelly? What is this video all about? Why are people using such a strong word as “sedition”? This article will explain everything simply.
Mark Kelly’s Amazing Life of Service Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly has spent his life serving his country. He was born in New Jersey in 1964. His parents were both police officers. This taught him the value of serving others very early on.
A Decorated Navy Pilot
Kelly went to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He later got a degree in engineering. He then joined the US Navy. Kelly became a combat pilot. He flew 39 combat missions in a war called Operation Desert Storm. He spent over 25 years in the Navy and retired with the high rank of Captain.
An Astronaut Who Commanded the Space Shuttle
In 1996, Mark Kelly became a NASA astronaut. He traveled to space four times. His first trip was in 2001. He helped deliver supplies to the International Space Station. His final mission was in 2011. He was the commander of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its last flight.
Mark Kelly spent more than 50 days in space. He traveled over 20 million miles. His identical twin brother, Scott Kelly, is also a former astronaut. They are very famous for their space careers.
Becoming a US Senator for Arizona Mark Kelly
After leaving NASA, Mark Kelly decided to enter politics. He ran for the Senate in Arizona as a Democrat. He won the election in 2020. Mark took the Senate seat that was once held by Senator John McCain.
As a Senator, Mark Kelly focuses on key issues. He works on things like improving roads and bridges. Kelly also works on lowering the cost of prescription drugs. He serves on many important committees, including the Armed Services Committee.
Why Is Mark Kelly Being Investigated?
The investigation against Senator Kelly is about a short video. Mark Kelly and five other lawmakers made this video. All six people had worked for the military or intelligence community before. They are all Democrats.
The Video and Its Message Mark Kelly
The video was posted on social media. It spoke directly to members of the US military. Kelly and the others said that service members swear an oath to the Constitution. They said the oath is not to any single person or government.
Senator Kelly told the troops, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.” Other lawmakers said that troops must “stand up for our laws” and “our constitution.” They also warned that threats to the Constitution are coming “from right here at home.”
The Pentagon’s Response
The video was met with a very strong reaction. The Pentagon, now called the Department of War, announced an investigation. They said they received “serious allegations of misconduct” against Senator Kelly.
The Pentagon cited a federal law. This law allows retired service members to be called back to active duty. This could lead to a court-martial (a military trial). The Pentagon said Kelly’s words may have harmed the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”
The Pentagon is investigating only Kelly. They said he is the only one in the video who is still under the military’s jurisdiction. This is because he formally retired from the Navy at the rank of Captain.
The Sedition Accusation Mark Kelly
The word “sedition” is the most serious part of this story. Sedition is a crime. It means working against or trying to overthrow the government using force or violence. It is a very rare charge.
The President’s Words
President Donald Trump strongly attacked the lawmakers. He accused the six Democrats of “seditious behavior, punishable by death!” He later said he was not threatening death. However, he said the lawmakers were in “serious trouble.”
Republicans and the Defense Secretary called the group “the Seditious Six.” The Defense Secretary said the video was “despicable, reckless, and false.” He said telling troops to ignore their commanders’ orders hurts military discipline.
What Legal Experts Say Mark Kelly
Legal experts and professors have looked at the video. They generally agree on a very simple point: the video is not sedition.
- Experts say that sedition means trying to overthrow the government with force.
- The video just told service members to follow the law.
- In fact, the law already requires US troops to refuse illegal orders. An order that is clearly illegal must be disobeyed.
- A former federal prosecutor said it is “so far from seditious behavior.” It is only a reminder of existing law.
Senator Kelly’s Response
Mark Kelly has pushed back against the investigation. He said he learned of the probe from a post on social media. He believes the investigation is a way to stop him from doing his job.
“If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs… it won’t work,” Senator Kelly said. He added, “I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies.”
Other Senate Democrats have defended him. They have said the President is using the Pentagon for his own political attacks. One Senator called this “what dictators do.” They said Kelly told the truth.
Refuse Illegal Orders.
Mark Kelly is a well-known US Senator from Arizona. He has a long and respected career as a Navy pilot and a NASA astronaut. He is now the center of a major political story.
Senator Kelly made a video with other lawmakers. In the video, they reminded military members of their legal duty to refuse illegal orders.
The Trump Administration saw this as a very serious act. The President accused the Senator of “sedition.” The Pentagon started an investigation that could lead to a court-martial.
However, many legal experts say the video is not a crime. They say the lawmakers were only stating the existing military law. Senator Kelly says he will not be silenced. This story shows a serious conflict between parts of the US government. The world is watching to see what the Pentagon decides to do.
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