Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) took to social media on Tuesday to issue a rare Republican rebuke of the Pentagon’s investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Murkowski criticized the accusation of treason and sedition against Kelly and other lawmakers for highlighting that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders, calling it reckless and wrong. She emphasized that the Department of Defense and FBI should focus on more pressing issues than this frivolous probe.
While some House and Senate leaders disapproved of President Trump’s language towards a group of Democratic veterans and former intelligence officers, few Republicans condemned his remarks and the subsequent scrutiny by various agencies. Trump has accused Kelly and five other Democrats of sedition after they advised troops to reject illegal orders, describing their actions as punishable by death. The FBI has contacted the six lawmakers for interviews, prompting criticism from the House members featured in the video for using the agency to intimidate and harass Members of Congress.
Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) confirmed that the FBI is opening an inquiry against the six Democrats, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an investigation into Kelly, labeling the group as the “Seditious Six.” Kelly reiterated that the message was non-controversial and simply a reminder for servicemembers to follow the law. Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.), an Air Force veteran, also criticized the administration’s response, urging for common sense and restraint in handling the situation.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Pentagon’s probe into the Democratic lawmakers underscores the tensions between political parties and the military. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this situation will impact the relationship between the government and the armed forces.
