Hands Off Captain Mark Kelly!

Censorship is not protected by the Constitution — but free speech is. Senator Mark Kelly is a U.S. Senator, not an enlisted soldier, and he is fully within his rights to speak freely. Even King Trump and his War Minister, Pete Hegseth, must abide by the Constitution.

All Senator Mark Kelly (D‑AZ) wanted to do was continue serving his country, just as he did when he was sworn into the U.S. Navy 35 years ago. However, President Donald Trump accused Kelly and five other Democrats — Rep. Jason Crow (D‑Colo.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D‑N.H.), Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan (both D‑Pa.), and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D‑Mich.) — of engaging in “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” after they appeared in a video in November condemning lethal military strikes on alleged drug‑smuggling boats in international waters.

Even U.S. Circuit Judge Cornelia Pillard repeatedly pointed out that the statement “you have a duty to disobey unlawful orders” is something taught at Annapolis to every cadet. Despite the judge’s ruling, the DOJ argued that proof of Kelly’s “specific intent to influence active‑duty service members” was Hegseth’s claim that by saying “refuse illegal orders,” Kelly really meant “disobey lawful orders.” That is pure poppycock — and Trump and Hegseth know it.

Now the U.S. War Minister is threatening Senator Kelly with a court‑martial, and the President of the United States is calling for his execution. That is absurd, illegal, and un‑American. Senator Kelly has been through a great deal in his life, and bullying from Trump and Hegseth will not intimidate him.

Let’s suppose a military officer ordered a soldier to assassinate the President for frivolous or illegal reasons. Should the soldier obey or refuse? Since this would be an illegal command, the soldier has the right — and the duty — to refuse. It’s basic common sense. The same logic should have been applied to Venezuela, as well as to the current Israeli genocide in Gaza. This is as easy as ABC.

It is for these reasons that hundreds of international students were deported last year after being falsely accused of undermining U.S. foreign policy when they protested U.S. involvement in the genocide. Then the government had the audacity to claim that the First Amendment does not apply to international students — a bold‑faced lie.

Al Jazeera reported that “the U.S. has so far carried out at least six strikes on boats in Venezuelan waters since the start of September 2025, killing some 27 people after allegations they were carrying narcotics.” However, the Trump administration has failed to provide any evidence that the targeted boats were carrying narcotics bound for the U.S.

Shortly afterward, Trump announced that U.S. forces had kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown them to New York — a blatant, illegal, and criminal act.

The problem here is simple: neither the Secretary of War nor the President seems to know the military’s oath of office. Don’t give illegal orders, and there will be no problem. Trump and Hegseth also swore an oath to defend and protect the Constitution.

Labeling someone a terrorist does not automatically make them a lawful target, nor does it allow the U.S. to sidestep international law. It appears that President Trump and Secretary Hegseth maintain a Rambo‑style mentality.

I stand with Senator Mark Kelly against President Trump and his War Minister, Pete Hegseth. No one is buying their lies about Senator Kelly. We know what Kelly said: he reminded service members that they are obligated not to follow illegal orders.

Once again, Kelly did not tell anyone to violate lawful orders. He was educating the public — especially those in the military. Evidently, Trump and the Pentagon need to be reminded that Article 92 of the UCMJ concerns the failure to obey lawful orders or regulations.

Finally, a federal court has ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to punish Senator Mark Kelly over a video urging military personnel not to follow illegal orders constitutes an assault on First Amendment rights.

I wish a dignified, smart, and brave American like Mark Kelly would become President of the United States to restore honor, respect, and trust to the office. I’ll say it one more time: Hands off Captain Mark Kelly!

Mahmoud El‑Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com