The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Haggath is quote escalating his review of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. That probe is in response to Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers posting a video reminding service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders. Yet, it's a message that members of President Trump's own cabinet once agreed with just last year.Now, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the same thing when working as a lawyer for a conservative think tank, writing in a Supreme Court brief, ...

Political and Legal Analysis - Trump's pardon of Tina Peters is symbolic due to the state-level conviction, highlighting the limits of presidential power [2] - A group of lawmakers are seeking congressional authorization for military action in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of checks and balances [3] - Concerns are raised regarding the legality of military strikes in Venezuela, particularly the September 2nd incident [5][9] - Reminding troops of their duty to not follow illegal orders is crucial, as highlighted by past statements from officials and military training [8][16][17] Military and Foreign Policy - The discussion emphasizes the need for congressional oversight of military actions to prevent unchecked and endless wars, referencing the $3 trillion spent and 7,000 American lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan [6][7] - The legality of strikes on Venezuelan boats is questioned, particularly concerning survivors [10][13] - There is a call for transparency and the release of video evidence related to the Venezuelan boat strikes [12] Constitutional and Ethical Concerns - Concerns are raised about potential violations of US criminal law, such as threatening protesters or sending troops to polling stations [10] - The response to reminding individuals in the administration to follow the law reveals a lack of respect for the Constitution [18]

Secretary Hegsith though not the only member of the president's cabinet who previously stated the military would not follow illegal orders. As Adam Liptac reports in the New York Times this morning, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the same thing just last year when she worked as a lawyer for a conservative think tank. In a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court, Bondi wrote, quote, "Military officers are required not to carry out unlawful orders." Does that sound familiar.Perhaps from that video fro ...

Congressman, thank you so much for joining us today. Uh, you are a member of the House Armed Services Committee, but it's my understanding that you um were not briefed today. Why did the entire House Armed Services and Intel Committees not receive a briefing today.>> Great question. You know, the admiral was was brought in to the leaders of both the armed services, the intel committee, as I understand it, House and Senate. The full committees need to hear from certainly the admiral, uh, who by all accounts ...

And joining us now, Democratic Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. She served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve. Congresswoman, thank you so much for taking the time.I want to get your thoughts on Secretary Hegset saying he didn't actually see those survivors or the follow-on strike that killed them. He talks about the quote fog of war. How do you see those comments. How do they land with you, >> Anna.Well, thanks for having me. Look, Pete Haggsth is a fundamentally unserious p ...

Defense Department Investigation & Concerns - Senator Mark Kelly and other lawmakers are under investigation by the Defense Department for a video reminding service members to follow the law [1][10] - The investigation was initiated following a tweet from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth [11] - Senator Kelly expresses concern about the competence of Secretary Hegseth and the potential for illegal orders, citing President Trump's past statements [1] "Double Tap" Strike Incident - The "double tap" strike incident is inconsistent with the laws of armed conflict and the Department of Defense's manual of war [1] - Senator Kelly calls for a thorough investigation into the incident, expressing distrust in the administration to provide complete information [1] - Secretary Hegseth was present and watching the operation live, making him responsible as the senior member in the operational chain of command [1] Secretary Hegseth's Leadership & Conduct - Secretary Hegseth's leadership style is described as "swaggering around" and using a "macho lexicon," referring to himself as the "Secretary of War" [1] - There is regret among some Republican senators who voted to confirm Secretary Hegseth, acknowledging his incompetence [1] - Secretary Hegseth is criticized for blaming others and lacking responsibility, contrasting with typical leadership behavior [1][8] Rules of Engagement & Accountability - Executing survivors in the water is against the law, and the proper procedure is to rescue survivors and then sink the boat [1] - Members of the military have a responsibility to not follow illegal orders [1] - There is a need for transparency and accountability regarding the incident, including making the legal analysis public [4][5][6]

So, now we know uh now we know why President Trump and his administration got so freaked out uh when Democratic lawmakers, military and intelligence veterans who are now in Congress, uh posted that video reminding American service members that they don't have to follow illegal orders. Now, it makes sense why that caused such a freakout, right. I mean, it was sort of on its face a weird thing to get upset about.Not being obliged to follow illegal orders. That's like, you know, the sun rises in the east. That ...

New questions today about Defense Secretary Pete Hegsf's orders when elite military commandos struck an alleged drug boat near Venezuela on September 2nd. News reports suggest the military launched deadly strikes on two men who survived the initial strike. MS Now has not independently confirmed that report.>> I don't know if I believe that at all because we're doing alleged sources. Nothing has been verified by this. Uh, we do know that a survivor that did survive in later attacks was picked up by the Unite ...

Let me ask you about the other big story this week. You joined uh five other Democratic lawmakers in a video urging service members to disobey orders they believe are illegal. We're seeing some of that video play, Senator, right now.In response, the Pentagon has opened an investigation into military laws. It says that you may have violated the FBI is reportedly launching its own probe. Now, Defense Secretary Pete Hegsith has personally threatened to recall you uh to active duty so that you can be court mars ...

FBI and Justice Department officials are working to arrange interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video advising service members not to follow illegal orders. The video enraged President Trump, who posted on social media last Friday that the lawmakers, all of whom have previously served in the military or US intelligence, should be arrested. He also accused them of sedicious behavior punishable by death.The four members of the house who appeared in the video, Jason Crowe, Chris Duzio, M ...