Pentagon investigates Sen. Kelly over video that addressed troops

The lawmaker joined five others to tell service members to defy 'illegal orders.'

- KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

KEVIN DIETSCH Getty Images "IF THIS is meant to intimidate me ... it won't work," Sen. Mark Kelly, seen last month, said in a statement.

The Pentagon announced Monday that it is investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over possible breaches of military law after the former Navy pilot joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called for troops to defy "illegal orders." The Pentagon's statement, posted on social media, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the Defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures.

It is extraordinary for the Pentagon, which until President Trump's second term had usually gone out of its way to act and appear apolitical, to directly threaten a sitting member of Congress with investigation. It comes after Trump ramped up the rhetoric by accusing the lawmakers of sedition "punishable by DEATH" in a social media post days after the video was released last week.

In its statement Monday, the Pentagon suggested that Kelly's statements in the video interfered with the "loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces" by citing the federal law that prohibits such actions.

"A thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures," the statement said.