Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Sen. Mark Kelly for Democrats' 'Illegal Orders' Video

By Jazmin Tolliver | Fri, November 28, 2025

Stephen A. Smith sharply criticized Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for appearing in a video that has gone viral, alongside five other Democratic lawmakers, urging military personnel to disobey alleged illegal orders from former President Donald Trumps administration.

On Wednesdays episode of his Straight Shooter show on SiriusXM, Smith argued that Kelly, a retired Navy captain, crossed the line and should not have delivered such a message.

Senators and representatives featured in the video include Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), all with military or intelligence backgrounds. The clip has garnered over 18 million views on X.

How dare you do that? Im not military, and I know better, Smith said. But you know better, Senator Kelly. You know better.

The ESPN host went on to reprimand Kelly for bypassing established procedures to address concerns regarding the Trump administrations directives.

You are an elected official in the nations capital. We have a constitution. If theres a problem, you follow the proper channels, Smith explained. Whether its [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries in the House or [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer in the Senate, you take it through the process.

He added, You dont go in front of cameras telling military personnel to ignore the commander-in-chief.

Smith, noting his personal connections to military families, stated that none of them considered the video acceptable. He suggested that Kelly could have pursued articles of impeachment if he believed unlawful actions were occurring.

Its not unprecedentedyouve impeached Trump twice before. What did that achieve? Hes back in the White House. Perhaps leaving him alone since 2020 would have been wiser, Smith said.

Additionally, Smith questioned why Kelly and his colleagues did not specify which orders were allegedly illegal. You didnt explain what the illegal orders were. Wheres the evidence? he asked.

The comments followed the Department of Defenses announcement that it would investigate Kelly after the videos circulation. Trump labeled the video SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR on social media, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called it despicable, reckless, and false, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the lawmakers of attempting to sow chaos and distrust.

Meanwhile, GOP Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) posted defenses of Kelly amid the Pentagons probe into potential misconduct.

Watch Smiths Straight Shooter segment below.

Author's Opinion: A Controversial Line Crossed in Military Disobedience Debate

The controversy surrounding the video featuring Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urging military personnel to disobey orders from the Trump administration raises significant concerns. While these lawmakers are certainly entitled to express their opinions, the method they chose—directly addressing military personnel and encouraging them to disregard the commander-in-chief—appears to cross an important line of propriety and responsibility.

Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of Kelly, a retired Navy captain, is not without merit. As an elected official, Kelly should have followed established channels for addressing any alleged misconduct or illegal actions within the military or government. Calling on military personnel to disregard orders without providing clear evidence or detailing specific illegal actions is both reckless and counterproductive. Such actions only serve to undermine public trust in the military and its chain of command.

Furthermore, the lack of clarity regarding the nature of the alleged "illegal orders" further weakens the lawmakers' position. Without specific examples, it is impossible to assess the validity of their claims, leaving their appeal to disobedience unsubstantiated. A more responsible course of action would have been to work within the constitutional framework, pushing for formal investigations or, if necessary, articles of impeachment, rather than resorting to public appeals that could further destabilize an already polarized political climate.

Ultimately, this situation reflects the increasing tendency of some lawmakers to bypass institutional norms in the pursuit of their political agendas. While checks and balances are essential in maintaining a functional democracy, bypassing established procedures for political posturing can only serve to damage the credibility of the system as a whole.

Sources:

• Stephen A. Smith Unleashes On Sen. Mark Kelly Over Democrats' ‘Illegal Orders’ Video