Stephen A. Smith Rips Mark Kelly for Urging Troops to Disobey Trump

In a stunning display of political recklessness, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined a group of Democrat lawmakers last week in a video urging U.S. military and intelligence personnel to defy so-called “illegal orders” under a future Trump administration. The video, loaded with hyperbole and veiled insubordination, was rightly slammed by ESPN analyst and Democrat commentator Stephen A. Smith, who didn’t hold back: “How dare you do that?”

The video featured six Democrat legislators including Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Kelly telling military members to “refuse illegal orders,” suggesting that Trump, if re-elected, would somehow direct troops to break the law or the Constitution. The message was clear don’t follow orders from the next commander-in-chief if he’s not the Democrat in office.

For Smith, who has never been shy about his political leanings, this was a bridge too far.

“Respectfully, senator, what the hell are you doing looking into the camera and telling military men and women to ignore the commander-in-chief? How dare you?” Smith said on his podcast. “I’m calling it out.”

And he’s right to. This isn’t just political posturing it’s dangerous rhetoric that undermines civilian control of the military, a bedrock principle of American democracy. It sends a chilling message that partisan loyalties should determine whether lawful orders are followed, as long as the orders come from someone the Democrats don’t like.

Let’s be clear:

• Mark Kelly is a sitting U.S. Senator and former Navy pilot he knows exactly what he’s doing.

• The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) already addresses illegal orders. Service members are not required to obey unlawful commands but they also aren’t supposed to be told by politicians to preemptively distrust their next commander-in-chief.

• The Constitution gives Congress the power to check the president through legislation, oversight, and impeachment not through backdoor calls for insubordination.

Smith reminded Kelly and the others that if they believe Trump would issue unlawful orders, there are constitutional remedies already in place and they’ve used them. Twice.

“You impeached the man twice. Where did that get you?” Smith asked. “Guy is back in the White House. Had you left him alone in 2016 and 2020, maybe he wouldn’t be back terrorizing the Democratic Party the way he is.”

This entire episode reeks of desperation from a party that knows it's losing its grip. Trump is leading in battleground states, Biden is hemorrhaging support among key demographics, and now we’re seeing top Democrats hinting at mutiny if the election doesn’t go their way.

Even Smith hardly a right-wing voice saw through it. “I’m not a military person, and I know better than that,” he said. “You don’t tell military men and women to ignore an order from the commander-in-chief.”

That’s the point. No matter who is in the Oval Office, America’s military answers to the Constitution not to partisan actors trying to stir up fear and resistance. Democrats would be wise to remember that before pushing videos that border on sedition.

In a time when the Left keeps sounding alarms about “threats to democracy,” it’s ironic and telling that they’re the ones now openly encouraging the military to reject elected leadership.

If you’re as fed up with the double standards and dangerous rhetoric coming out of D.C. as we are, share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and stay informed.