Constantly, for the past 12 months, we have been told by the executive branch of the United States government that down is up, black is white and lies are truth.
The instances are too many to list here, but highlights include:
— Indefensible and horrifying pardons handed to 1,600 J6 “patriots,” even those who assaulted police, occupied the Capitol, threatened to hang the vice president and brought Congress to a standstill.
— The illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, among many others, during which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called him an “illegal alien MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser and child predator,” none of which has been shown to be true in court proceedings.
— The destruction of small boats and killing their crews in international waters, including the murder of shipwrecked civilian sailors clinging to debris in open water.
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— The cavalier destruction of the East Wing of the White House, despite a presidential promise that the new White House ballroom would not impact the current structure.
— Immediately, before any investigation, calling the shooting death of Renee Good utterly justifiable, despite strong visual evidence that her car, far from “weaponized” at five mph, was not being used to target an ICE officer.
So it should come as no surprise, then, when we are asked to believe more utter nonsense and allow it to be used as justification for more illegitimate and un-American behavior — this time by self-styled “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth, against Tucson’s own U.S. Senator Mark Kelly.
Kelly, along with other Democratic members of Congress, made a video that reminds active-duty military personnel that it is their duty and obligation to refuse illegal orders. This is something all U.S. military personnel are taught. Because of the video, Hegseth has ordered an investigation of Kelly and started a process to reduce the rank (U.S. Navy Captain) that Kelly held at retirement.
Let’s take a quick review of Mark Kelly’s service in the U.S. Navy.
After training as a pilot, Kelly flew 39 combat missions in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.
Later, he was selected for and completed U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and subsequently was chosen to be an astronaut.
Kelly flew four space shuttle missions, including as space shuttle commander.
He won multiple decorations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses and multiple Air Medals. He logged more than 5,000 flight hours in service to the United States.
Now Hegseth wants to throw shade on that military career and bust Kelly in rank?
There is significant reason to be concerned about illegal orders being given to our military in the Trump administration, judging from military deployments to perform non-military police duties in Democrat-run cities for the flimsiest of reasons, and the Caribbean and Pacific small-boat attacks in international waters.
At the same time, there is absolutely no reason to question Mark Kelly’s patriotism or the validity of his military service, rank, and retirement status. To do so is a shameful abuse of power.
Arizona is home to many military retirees, who might justifiably feel worried about their own retirements if the process is abused in such a way.
We would ask the Trump administration to tell us another one. Or pull the other leg. But we don’t have to ask. We know it will.
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