
Blue Press Journal – In recent remarks, President Donald Trump, a draft doger, criticized Senator Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, for stating in a video that military personnel are trained not to follow illegal orders. While public figures are subject to scrutiny, misrepresenting a fundamental principle of military ethics for political gain undermines both national values and public understanding of military duty.
Senator Kelly’s statement echoes long-standing U.S. military doctrine: service members take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, not to blindly obey commands. This principle has been affirmed in military training, legal precedents, and historical events—from the Nuremberg Trials to modern-day operational guidelines. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) clearly establishes that obeying unlawful orders does not absolve individuals of responsibility for their actions.
By framing Kelly’s accurate and responsible comments as unpatriotic or subversive, the critique distorts a cornerstone of American civil-military relations. The U.S. Armed Forces instill not only discipline but also moral and legal accountability. Soldiers, sailors, and officers are expected to exercise judgment when confronted with directives that violate the law or the Constitution. This safeguard protects both service members and democratic governance.

Attacking a decorated veteran for reiterating accepted military protocol does a disservice to the brave men and women who serve. It risks eroding public trust in the professionalism and integrity of the armed forces. More importantly, it conflates lawful dissent and ethical duty with disloyalty—dangerous rhetoric in a democracy.
Military service demands courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Mark Kelly’s career exemplifies these values. To suggest otherwise not only misrepresents the facts but also diminishes the standards to which all Americans should hold their leaders—civilian and military alike. In upholding the principle that no one is above the law, Senator Kelly speaks not just as a veteran, but as a steward of democratic integrity.

