The Arizona Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran, faces a Pentagon probe for saying in a video, "Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders."

The previously scheduled appearance came at a moment when Kelly, D-Arizona, is at the center of a Trump tempest.

The following is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Mark Kelly, Democrat of Arizona, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Nov. 23, 2025.

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon urged the Trump administration to speed up the investigation against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for telling military and intelligence officers to reject unlawful orders.

Jacob Thomas, an Air Force veteran with progressive veterans advocacy group Common Defense, said he was “appalled” by the Pentagon’s announcement of the Kelly investigation.

In an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him unqualified and saying he just wants to please President Donald Trump.

Mark Kelly may not have long to wait to learn whether the Pentagon intends to pursue charges against him for taking part in a video reminding soldiers to refuse illegal orders. War Secretary Pete Hegseth published on social media his memorandum to the secretary of the Navy asking for “a brief on the outcome of your review” by no later than Dec.