Hegseth tweeted that the video was “despicable, reckless, and false.”(Image: AP)
Senator Ruben Gallego branded U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a coward during a CNN interview as he responded to the Defense Department’s announcement on Monday that it is opening an investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.
“You will never ever even be half the man that Sen. Kelly is,” Gallego said. “You, sir, are a coward, and the fact that you are following this effort from the president shows how big of a coward you are, and I can’t wait until you are no longer the Secretary of Defense.”
The Defense Department said it is opening an investigation into Kelly, who is a retired Navy captain, in connection with a video he and other Democrats recorded urging members of the military and the intelligence community not to comply with illegal orders from President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Hegseth tweeted that the video was “despicable, reckless, and false.” He added, “Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under @DeptofWar jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not ‘retired’, so they are no longer subject to UCMJ). However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ—and he knows that,” he added, referring to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The Defense Department said a comprehensive review of allegations has been initiated to determine further actions. It could include recalling Kelly to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures, according to the department.
Senator Ruben Gallego branded U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a coward during a CNN interview (Image: CNN)
Kelly tweeted that Hegseth’s post was the first he had heard of the investigation. Gallego tweeted that Kelly, “has dedicated his life to serving this country with honor. And now Trump is coming after him with the same baseless garbage he throws at anyone who refuses to bend the knee.”
“Mark told the truth — in America, we swear an oath to the Constitution, not wannabe kings,” he added. “F— you and your investigation,” added Gallego, a Democrat and veteran of the Marines.
The former Marine repeatedly slammed Hegseth and said that he was half the man the Arizona senator was(Image: CNN)
Last week, President Trump posted on Truth Social that the Democratic lawmakers “should be arrested and put on trial,” and accused them of “seditious behavior” that he said could be “punishable to death.”
“I think they’re in serious trouble. I would say they’re in serious trouble. I’m not threatening death, but I think they’re in serious trouble,” Trump said. “In the old days, it was death. That was seditious behavior”, he said on conservative Brian Kilmeade’s radio show.
Gallego alleged that President Trump was using “baseless garbage he throws at anyone who refuses to bend the knee.” (Image: AP)
President Trump’s words led many of his die-hard MAGA fans to comment that he should follow through on the threat. “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!” one supporter called.
“UNLAWFUL is the key word, folks! UNLAWFUL,” a second added. A third person called for the mass indictment of the senators who posted the video.
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