URGENT UPDATE: Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump, stating that his inflammatory comments could lead to “serious, serious consequences.” Kelly’s remarks come in response to Trump’s recent social media posts where he accused lawmakers of “seditious behavior,” igniting a firestorm of backlash from Democratic leaders.
This escalating situation follows Trump’s alarming suggestion that lawmakers who urged military personnel to disobey unlawful orders should face arrest and trial. On Thursday, he specifically called for those lawmakers to be charged with “seditious behavior,” declaring on social media that such actions are “punishable by DEATH!” These incendiary statements have raised concerns over increased threats against public officials.
During an appearance on Face the Nation on Sunday, Kelly emphasized the weight of Trump’s words, saying, “His words carry tremendous weight, more so than anybody else in the country.” He noted that the president’s rhetoric has already resulted in heightened security threats against lawmakers, including himself.
In a video featuring Kelly, fellow Senator Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, the lawmakers urged military personnel to “refuse illegal orders,” citing their duty to protect the Constitution. Crow, also appearing on the same program, stated that Trump’s threats to send troops into cities like Chicago could constitute unlawful orders.
“When you have the president of the United States threatening to execute and to hang… people listen to it,” Crow warned. “We’ve seen a pattern of dangerous rhetoric being used by the president, and then people acting on that.”
Kelly, a former astronaut and husband of Gabby Giffords, who survived a political assassination attempt in 2011, drew parallels between his experience and the current political climate. “As the husband of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, I understand what political violence is,” he stated, urging Trump to consider the potential repercussions of his words.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated his claims against the lawmakers, labeling their actions as “sedition at the highest level” and demanding their incarceration. This continues a troubling trend of aggressive language from Trump, which many see as inciting violence.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify Trump’s statements, asserting that he does not advocate for violence against members of Congress. However, Trump later indicated on Fox News Radio that his comments were serious, stating, “I’m not threatening death, but I think they’re in serious trouble.” This has done little to quell the fears raised by lawmakers regarding their safety.
On Saturday, Crow’s district office reported receiving a bomb threat, further underscoring the potential dangers stemming from Trump’s remarks. “It’s very disturbing stuff,” Crow said, highlighting that rhetoric has real-world consequences.
This situation is rapidly developing, and lawmakers are calling for immediate discussions about the dangers of such rhetoric in a politically charged environment. Kelly stressed, “We both served our country… we reiterated what basically is the rule of law. Members of the military should not, cannot follow illegal orders.”
The implications of Trump’s comments are vast, stirring fears of political violence and raising questions about the responsibilities of public officials to uphold the rule of law. As the nation watches this story unfold, the urgency to address these issues becomes increasingly critical.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on how lawmakers respond and what further actions may be taken to protect the integrity of the democratic process.