The Trump administration has intensified its confrontation with Democratic lawmakers, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering a formal Navy investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly over comments the lawmaker made regarding military personnel’s rights to refuse unlawful orders.
In a memorandum directed to Navy Secretary John Phelan, Hegseth demanded a comprehensive review of what he termed “potentially unlawful comments” made by Kelly and several Democratic colleagues in a social media video released last week. The defense chief has set a December 10th deadline for receiving a detailed briefing on the matter.
The controversial video featured Kelly alongside fellow Democrats reminding active-duty service members and intelligence officers of their legal right to disobey orders that violate military law. This message has drawn fierce criticism from Trump administration officials, who view it as an attempt to undermine military chain of command.
The Pentagon had already announced Monday that it was investigating Kelly for potential violations of military regulations. The escalation comes as President Trump has accused the Arizona senator and his Democratic allies of engaging in what he calls “seditious behavior.”
Kelly has pushed back forcefully against these allegations, arguing that Trump is weaponizing federal law enforcement agencies. “The US president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a ‘tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress,'” Kelly stated in response to the mounting pressure.
The controversy has expanded beyond Kelly to include several other Democratic lawmakers who participated in the video message. Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire have all been swept into the investigation. In a joint statement, these congressional members confirmed that the FBI has formally contacted both House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with each of them.
This latest development represents a significant escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic opposition, raising questions about the appropriate use of federal investigative powers against sitting members of Congress.
Broader Trump Administration Developments
Meanwhile, legal experts are suggesting that Trump may have inadvertently created unintended consequences with his recent pardoning decisions. When the president granted pardons to Rudy Giuliani and other allies involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, legal scholars argue he may have effectively pardoned any citizen who committed voter fraud during that election cycle.
The pardons, while largely symbolic given that federal cases were already dismissed following Trump’s election victory, could have broader implications. Many of those pardoned still face criminal charges at the state level, where presidential pardons hold no authority.
On the international front, Trump announced plans to dispatch special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for discussions with Vladimir Putin aimed at developing proposals to end the Ukraine conflict. Despite White House optimism about progress, the president acknowledged that significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding territorial control and security guarantees. Trump tempered expectations, stating there are “only a few remaining points of disagreement” while simultaneously downplaying prospects for immediate peace summits.
In domestic security matters, the State Department recently designated several anti-fascist groups as foreign terrorist organizations, accusing them of “conspiring to undermine foundations of western civilization.” However, extremism experts are questioning these designations, arguing the targeted groups barely qualify as organized entities.
“The whole thing is a bit ridiculous,” said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which monitors extremist movements globally, “because the groups designated by the administration barely exist and certainly aren’t terrorists.”
Public opinion data reveals shifting political dynamics as well. A new Pew Research study indicates that despite Trump receiving support from nearly half of Latino voters in the 2024 election, a majority now disapprove of his performance. The survey found that 70% of Latinos disapprove of Trump’s presidential performance, with 65% opposing his immigration policies and 61% believing his economic policies have worsened conditions. This represents a notable shift for a demographic that gave Trump 48% support in 2024, compared to just 28% in 2016.
Additional Developments
Immigration enforcement continues to generate controversy as community leaders reported that ICE raids across southern California have negatively impacted immigrant communities and resulted in US citizens being detained. These concerns were raised during a congressional hearing in Los Angeles, highlighting ongoing tensions over the administration’s immigration policies.
In political accountability news, Republican Senator Jim Justice and his spouse have agreed to pay over $5 million in back taxes following federal legal action over a 16-year-old debt. The agreement comes shortly after the government filed suit against the couple for the outstanding obligations.
The administration has also made significant health policy appointments, naming Ralph Abraham as deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Abraham, a Louisiana health official, previously ended mass vaccination promotion policies and has described Covid-19 vaccines as “dangerous,” signaling potential shifts in federal health policy direction.
Environmental concerns persist as investigators have finally identified the source of a fuel leak in the Olympic pipeline, two weeks after contamination was first discovered near an Everett, Washington blueberry farm. The leak highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges affecting agricultural communities.
These developments collectively illustrate the breadth of challenges and controversies facing the Trump administration as it navigates complex domestic and international issues while managing relationships with Congress and various stakeholder communities.
