Sen. Mark Kelly is taking heavy political fire after the Pentagon launched a formal inquiry into his appearance in a video urging military and intelligence personnel to reject “illegal orders” from the Trump administration.
The investigation has also dragged one of Kelly’s old controversies back into the spotlight — his past ties to a balloon company funded in part by Chinese tech giant Tencent.
Kelly, a retired Navy captain and Arizona Democrat, is one of six lawmakers being examined for their participation in the November video, which directly addressed active-duty troops and encouraged them to resist any commands they believe violate the Constitution. The group warned that “threats to the Constitution” may come from inside the country, not just from foreign adversaries.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned the message, calling it an act that “discredits the armed forces” and confirming that it will be dealt with under military law. Retired service members remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, meaning the Pentagon could pursue action if it finds wrongdoing.
Former President Donald Trump blasted the lawmakers on Truth Social, labeling them “TRAITORS” and reposting content accusing them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR.” While many media outlets wrote off Trump’s reaction as bluster, military insiders took the issue far more seriously, noting that any suggestion encouraging troops to question lawful orders is considered extremely dangerous.
As the sedition dispute spread across Washington, Kelly was hit with renewed criticism over his earlier involvement with World View Enterprises — a high-altitude balloon company he helped launch that later received $8.1 million in investment from Tencent, a corporation frequently tied to the Chinese government.
A viral online post reignited the controversy, claiming Kelly “started a spy balloon company funded by China.” Although World View insists it never dealt with sensitive technology, national-security analysts say foreign investment can still create intelligence risks. Kelly cut ties with the company long ago, but the resurfaced story has become political ammunition.
Supporters of the lawmakers argue that the video simply emphasized that troops must follow the Constitution above all else. Sen. Ruben Gallego, also featured in the video, lashed out at critics in coarse language that Republicans condemned as unbecoming of a senator. On CNN, Jeffrey Toobin dismissed the entire episode as unnecessary drama, noting that no illegal orders had actually been issued.
Critics further highlight that both Kelly and Gallego voted against troop pay during the October 2025 government shutdown — a fact opponents say undercuts their sudden insistence on defending military ethics. Sen. John Fetterman, who voted to ensure service members were paid, has used the moment to contrast his position with Kelly’s.
Conservatives argue the combined controversies are damaging: a senator being scrutinized for encouraging potential insubordination, while past links to Chinese-funded balloon technology resurface at the worst possible time.
Commentator Glenn Beck called the situation a dangerous precedent, warning that if military personnel start deciding on their own which orders are valid, “you no longer have a functioning republic.”
