Arizona State Senator and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Rogers spoke [1] this week about Democratic lawmakers’ recent video urging military personnel to disobey “illegal” orders and the Department of War’s investigation into former Navy captain and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
The situation began after Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released a video telling active-duty service members and intelligence officials they have a “duty” to disobey “illegal” orders from President Trump.
No illegal orders have been issued. Rogers characterized the video as an effort to interfere with military operations.
Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA officer who participated in the video, acknowledged that President Trump has not given any illegal orders.
She referenced Adolf Hitler, Nuremberg trials, and films such as “A Few Good Men” while addressing service members.
Slotkin invokes Nuremberg in her defense of Democrat ‘illegal orders’ video:
“’Well, they told me to do it’ is not an excuse…People were prosecuted.”
Democrats are threatening legal retaliation as an intimidation tactic. Same thing they’ve been doing to ICE agents. https://t.co/Ms0Oj5Wmwo [2] pic.twitter.com/IMo58nR4IS [3]
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) November 23, 2025 [4]
President Trump later described the group’s actions as “traitorous” and said “military courts” were reviewing the matter.
On Monday, the Department of War announced that Kelly may be recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The department said Kelly is under investigation for possible violations of federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with loyalty, morale, good order, or discipline within the armed forces.
Rogers explained that Kelly is “the only one of the six who can be recalled to active duty,” noting that he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The other lawmakers would face potential Department of Justice action instead.
Rogers said she expects DOJ indictments to be “the next shoe to drop,” adding, “If this were to happen, it’d be fairly unprecedented, but we’re in very unprecedented times.”
Rogers also addressed Rep. Ruben Gallego’s response video in which he directed profanity at Pete Hegseth and President Trump.
She called the remarks “so off-color, so inappropriate, unprofessional, and really indicative of how unhinged and ill-prepared, and scared the Democrats are.”
Rogers described the lawmakers’ effort as a “CIA operation” and an attempt to “start a color revolution,” saying it was designed to create doubt among service members.
She argued that referencing Nuremberg or Hollywood portrayals of military tribunals was a “fanciful” attempt to appear aligned with the military despite having no executive authority.
She pointed to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members as an example of Democrats supporting orders that military personnel were compelled to follow.
Rogers said Democrats are now “at a loss” and referenced the Supreme Court, redistricting, and the economy while attributing their actions to political setbacks.
Rogers noted that Kelly, as a retired officer, can be recalled for a court-martial regardless of his current position in the Senate.
“He’s subject to the UCMJ, so he can be called back to active duty and court-martialed,” she said.
When asked about the consequences for Democratic lawmakers encouraging disobedience of lawful orders, Rogers said the courts should determine the outcome.
“It’s sedition, not treason, because you’re not aligning with another foreign power to overtake us. You’re doing it from within. And let the evidence decide, let the courts decide, but at least get it out into the limelight. Have it evaluated, have the rest of the country see it for what it is. It’s unprecedented, historically.”