Gallego warns of ‘consequences’ to military for ‘going after sitting members of Congress’
By Ryan Mancini
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) warned Monday there will be “consequences” if the military punishes his fellow Arizona Democrat, Sen. Mark Kelly, after the Pentagon said it was investigating Kelly in connection with a video in which he and other Democratic lawmakers urged service members to “refuse illegal orders”
“Donald Trump is going to be gone in a couple years,” Gallego told CNN host Kasie Hunt on “The Arena.”
“And if you’re part of the military that is going after sitting senators, sitting members of Congress, and part of the weaponization of government, there will be consequences, without a doubt,” he continued.
Gallego warned that officers who are “part of this tribunal … will be looking over their soldiers.”
“Because they know that Donald Trump will be gone and they will not have that protection,” he added. “They’re going to have to do the safest thing possible, which is follow the Constitution of the United States, and you’ll be fine.”
Gallego then looked directly into the camera and gave a message to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. On Monday, Hegseth said the Pentagon would conduct a “thorough review” of allegations against Kelly, who first heard of the investigation in Hegseth’s post on the social platform X.
“You will never, ever, ever even be half the man that Sen. Kelly is,” Gallego told Hegseth. “You, sir, are a coward. And the fact that you are following this order from the president shows how big of a coward you are. And I can’t wait till you no longer are the secretary of Defense.”
Gallego urged service members to “just continue doing your job.”
“Let the politicians fight this out.”
The day before, Gallego blasted the Department of Defense’s statement about the investigation, posting on X, “F‑‑‑ you and your investigation.”
The investigation into Kelly comes after Trump blasted him and five Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds who, in a video, urged service members to disobey unlawful orders.
On Truth Social, Trump accused the Democrats of being “traitors.” The president then insinuated they should be executed and accused them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The White House walked this back and said Trump only wants accountability, but the president has since continued to accuse the lawmakers of “sedition.”
In an X post, Hegseth said Kelly falls under Defense Department jurisdiction, while the other Democrats in the video do not.
“As was announced, the Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation — lending the appearance of authority to his words,” Hegseth wrote. “Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately.”
Kelly said he and other Democrats in Congress will not be intimidated “from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable.”
“I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution,” he continued.
Kelly is a retired Navy captain. Gallego is a Marine combat veteran.