Sen. Mark Kelly on Illegal Orders, the Military, and Trump’s Venezuela Push

Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy combat veteran and former astronaut, joins Terry Moran for one of the most urgent conversations yet about military integrity, illegal orders, presidential power, and the looming risk of conflict in Venezuela. Kelly explains why he and several Democratic senators released a video reminding service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders — a message rooted directly in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He discusses the backlash, Trump’s threats, the firing of JAG officers and inspectors general, and the profound institutional damage he believes is underway inside the Pentagon. The discussion turns to Venezuela, where Kelly raises alarm about Trump’s intentions, the lack of a clear mission, and the danger of dragging American troops—many already worn from Iraq and Afghanistan—into another conflict with no justification, no planning, and no explanation to the American people. Kelly also speaks about political violence, his wife Gabby Giffords’ survival, and why he refuses to be intimidated by presidential threats. A bracing, unfiltered interview about democracy, duty, and danger in 2025. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – Terry Moran welcomes Senator Mark Kelly in Washington 01:04 – Why Kelly told the military they can refuse illegal orders 03:08 – Why he believes “something really bad could happen” 05:29 – Kelly defends the message as simple UCMJ fact 06:47 – Trump calls for Kelly to be executed; consequences and fear 07:49 – Why firing JAG officers and IGs threatens accountability 08:25 – The Venezuela crisis and moral danger for service members 10:46 – Are we too quick to pull the trigger? 11:20 – What decades of war have done to the military 12:25 – Risk of a new conflict in Venezuela with no clear purpose 13:50 – The Juan Hernández pardon and troubling signals 15:46 – Personal safety, political violence, and refusing intimidation 17:01 – Why subservience in Trump’s cabinet is dangerous 17:53 – Could Kelly run for president? His answer 18:52 – Closing reflections and thanks #MarkKelly #Military #Venezuela #USPolitics #Democracy