Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Curtis of Utah are defending Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly as the astronaut-turned-lawmaker faces a Defense Department probe over his appearance in a video telling military members to disobey “illegal” orders.
Ms. Murkowski wrote a forceful defense of Mr. Kelly, saying he “valiantly” served in the Navy before completing NASA shuttle missions.
“To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong,” Ms. Murkowski posted on her Senate-office X account. “The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.”
Mr. Curtis, posting on his personal X account, did not condemn the investigation but defended Mr. Kelly’s integrity.
“As a colleague, I respect Mark Kelly and value his friendship. I know him as someone whose career has been defined by service,” Mr. Curtis posted. “His record as a combat naval aviator and NASA astronaut reflects his example of the discipline and dedication that are important for success.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week said he might recall Mr. Kelly, of Arizona, to active-duty status so he can face court-martial proceedings over his appearance in the social media video that also featured fellow Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and four House Democrats.
In the video, the Democrats remind service members they have a duty to refuse any illegal orders from President Trump.
The video enraged Mr. Trump, who called it very serious and seditious.
The Democrats say they were echoing the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But the administration argued that the lawmakers were trying to undermine the president and did not bother to cite any Trump order that may have been illegal.
Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill have raised concerns about the legality of U.S. military strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean, along with deploying National Guard troops to Democrat-led U.S. cities to help crack down on crime.
Beyond the Defense Department, the FBI has requested interviews with the Democratic lawmakers involved and has coordinated with the Senate and the House sergeants at arms.
Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania released a statement confirming the FBI contact.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring the Constitution,” they said.
Ms. Slotkin also confirmed the probe on social media.
“The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place. He believes in weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies and does not believe laws apply to him or his Cabinet,” she posted. “He uses legal harassment as an intimidation tactic to scare people out of speaking up.”
