Dec 10, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Democrats express concern over Sen. Mark Kelly review after Trump blast

Julianna Bragg

Kelly wearing a dark suit and slightly unbuttoned light blue shirt speaking into a mic — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz) at a news conference in the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 1, 2025. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee called the Pentagon's investigation into retired naval officer Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) a threat to "politicize our military justice system," in a letter sent to the Navy Secretary John Phelan Tuesday.

The big picture: The Senators' concern follows President Trump's post on X accusing Kelly and five other lawmakers of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH" after they appeared in a video reminding military and service members they could disobey unlawful orders.

Driving the news: The Senators said Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's directive to investigate Kelly is a "brazen abuse of power" and argued that the review violates the separation of powers.

They added that while the Defense Department aims to preserve "impartiality," the Trump administration's public comments have made a fair review "impossible."
The letter also noted that Phelan was to brief Hegseth by Dec. 10.

What they're saying: The Democrats called the review "a purely political exercise seeking to threaten legitimate and lawful actions by a duly elected Senator, and politicize our military justice system."

"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work," Kelly said in a statement on Nov. 24 after the investigation was announced.
Representatives for Kelly, Phelan and the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Sen. Mark Kelly facing military investigation after clashing with Trump

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Democrats express concern over Sen. Mark Kelly review after Trump blast

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