The Trump administration has dramatically escalated its confrontation with Democratic lawmakers, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering a formal investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly over comments made in a social media video.
Navy Investigation Ordered
On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth directed US Navy Secretary John Phelan to investigate what he described as "potentially unlawful comments" made by Senator Kelly and fellow Democrats. The order came in the form of a memorandum requesting a briefing by 10 December.
The controversy centres around a video posted last week in which Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers reminded serving military personnel and intelligence officers of their right to refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon had already announced on Monday that it was investigating Kelly for potential breaches of military law.
Kelly Fights Back
Senator Kelly responded forcefully to the administration's actions, accusing former President Donald Trump of using the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a "tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress."
Trump had previously accused Kelly and the other Democrats featured in the video of "seditious behaviour." The group includes Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire.
A statement released by the lawmakers confirmed that the FBI had contacted congressional security officials requesting interviews with them, signalling an intensification of the political conflict.
Broader Political Implications
The confrontation represents one of several significant developments in US politics this week. Legal experts have suggested that Trump may have inadvertently pardoned any citizen who committed voter fraud in 2020 when he granted pardons to Rudy Giuliani and other allies involved in the fake elector scheme.
In foreign policy news, Trump announced he would send special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss ending the Ukraine war, though significant disagreements over territorial control and security guarantees remain unresolved.
The administration also faces criticism over its designation of anti-fascist groups as foreign terrorist organizations, with experts telling the Guardian these groups "barely exist" and pose no active threat to Americans.
A recent Pew Research study revealed troubling numbers for the administration, showing that 70% of Latino voters disapprove of Trump's job performance, a significant shift after he won 48% of the Latino vote in the 2024 election.
