The sordid tale of the “Seditious Six” has taken on a new dimension, with the Pentagon now hinting at an investigation of Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who is a retired Navy Captain. In light of these developments, it appears that ABC has chosen to run crisis comms for him rather than fully report on the ramifications of the video stunt he willingly participated in.
Watch the full report below as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Monday, November 24th, 2025 (click “expand” to view transcript):
DAVID MUIR: Now to an extraordinary move tonight. The Pentagon now threatening to court-martial Senator and retired astronaut Mark Kelly after he appeared in a video with other Democrats telling American troops they are allowed to refuse illegal orders. Here's Mary Bruce tonight.
MARY BRUCE: Tonight the Pentagon announcing it's investigating, quote, “serious allegations of misconduct” against Arizona Senator Mark Kelly for recording a video with five other Democratic lawmakers urging military troops not to follow illegal orders.
MARK KELLY: I was a captain in the United States Navy.
ELISSA SLOTKIN: Former CIA officer.
CHRIS DELUZIO: Former Navy.
BRUCE: Kelly, who flew 39 combat missions in Iraq before going on to become an astronaut, now threatened with a court-martial for saying this.
KELLY: Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.
SLOTKIN: You can refuse illegal orders.
BRUCE: The president has blasted the lawmakers as traitors, accusing them of “seditious behavior, punishable by death.” He shared another post that said "Hang them. George Washington would." Kelly, who is married to former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in 2011, calling Trump's comments “disturbing.”
KELLY: I know a little bit about political violence. My wife Gabby was nearly assassinated. She was shot in the head because of political violence. She nearly died.
BRUCE: The White House insists Trump wasn't calling for the lawmakers to be executed, but the president making it clear they should pay.
DONLD TRUMP: Well, I think Pete Hegseth is looking into it too. I know they're looking into it militarily.
BRUCE: And today, Defense Secretary Hegseth acted. Calling the video “despicable, reckless and false”, adding: "Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their commanders undermines every aspect of good order and discipline." But tonight Kelly defiant, posting this picture of the many military medals he's earned, writing "I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution." Now, Kelly is the only one of the six lawmakers to be investigated by the Pentagon because, unlike the other military veterans Kelly is retired and receiving benefits and still subject to the uniform to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. David.
MUIR: Mary Bruce live at The White House. Mary, thank you.
. steve malzberg
