Bill O’Reilly torches Democrat senator for ‘huge mistake’ in telling military to disobey Trump

Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly denounced Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday for participating in a video urging military members to disobey “illegal” orders from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Department of War announced on Monday that the Pentagon was launching an investigation into Kelly after the video. O’Reilly said on NewsNation’s “On Balance with Leland Vittert” that Kelly should not have participated in the video, arguing the only purpose of it was to damage Trump.

WATCH:

“I’m disappointed with Senator Kelly. I think that he made a huge mistake by getting involved with this ridiculous charade. If you’re a responsible legislator, you don’t make things up,” O’Reilly said. “So if you don’t have an illegal order, then why are you talking about an illegal order? For what? What is the reason? There’s only one: to embarrass Trump, to whip up hatred against Trump. That’s why they did it.”

“[W]hy would Kelly, who has a distinguished record both in the military and in Congress, why would he be part of it?” he added. “What’s the upside?”

Kelly appeared with five Democratic colleagues in the video telling service members their “trust” with the American people was at risk and pushing them not to “give up the ship.” He reminded them that they “swore an oath” and said they can “refuse illegal orders.”

However, Democratic Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who posted the video to X on Nov. 18, acknowledged on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday that she could not identify one illegal order that the Trump administration had issued to justify disobedience.

Kelly is a retired Navy Captain and remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and is eligible for recall as a retiree, as noted in the Department of War announcement.

“The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses, and federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces,” the announcement reads. “Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels.”

War Secretary Pete Hegseth dubbed the Democratic lawmakers in the video the “Seditious Six” in an X post on Monday, particularly calling out Kelly for his status as a retired Navy Commander.

“As was announced, the Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation—lending the appearance of authority to his words,” Hegseth wrote. “Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately.”

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