A GOP strategist turned anti-Trump activist on Monday slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's latest threat to a Democratic lawmaker over a social media video that circulated last week.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a retired astronaut and former naval officer, appeared in a video with five other Democratic lawmakers last week, telling military troops that they do not have to obey illegal orders. The video was widely condemned by President Donald Trump and his MAGA base, with the president describing it as a "seditious act."
On Monday, the Pentagon announced that it is investigating Kelly for "possible breaches of military law," according to a report from The Associated Press. Hegseth also threatened to elevate Kelly back to active duty so he can be court-martialled.
GOP strategist Steve Schmidt responded to Hegseth's threat in a video posted on his Substack, "The Warning."
"Today, we have another grotesque corruption," Schmidt said. "The corruption of the U.S. military, a kangaroo court court-martial threat, precisely of the type Jackie Robinson had to deal with, precisely the type of court-martial that Benjamin O. Davis had to face, the type of Mickey Mouse court-martial that Dick Winters had to face down, for those of you who are fans of Band of Brothers."
"Now, let's talk about the threat, and how sinister it is," he continued. "There's a simple truth that's not been reported on by any of the military correspondents, although around the Defense Department and the Pentagon, is common knowledge...They believe the scuttlebutt on what might have been described in a different era as the coconut telegraph, that if they speak out against the degradation of the U.S. military...then they will be recalled to active duty and court-martialed."
REACTION: "Secretary of War" Hegseth threatens Senator Mark Kelly with investigation by Steve Schmidt
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