Gov. Katie Hobbs on reaction to Mark Kelly’s comments: ‘I’m not sure what the uproar is about’

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said on Tuesday she doesn’t understand the issues regarding Sen. Mark Kelly’s comments about telling military members they don’t have to follow illegal orders.

Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos she doesn’t understand why the Pentagon is investigating Kelly over his comments.

“I’m not sure what the uproar is about. If you’re not issuing illegal orders, I’m not sure why what he said is so bad,” Hobbs said.

“Sen. Kelly is somebody who has served in the military and has a lengthy military career where he flew many combat missions as a navy pilot and he was an astronaut. In those roles, he took an oath to the Constitution as has every member of the armed forces.”

Timeline of Mark Kelly’s comments

Hobbs’ comments come as Kelly, along with other six Democratic lawmakers, were contacted by the FBI on Tuesday over a Nov. 18 video they made telling U.S. military members they don’t have to follow illegal orders.

Kelly and the Democratic lawmakers have been criticized by President Donald Trump and his administration over the comments with Trump lashing out two days later, calling it “seditious behavior at the highest level.”

The Pentagon announced on Monday that it was reviewing Kelly for “serious allegations of misconduct” and he could face court-martial proceedings.

Hobbs said she texted her support to Kelly, saying what’s going on is “unthinkable.” She added that President Trump should be more focused on other issues going on in the country.

“It’s outrageous and I don’t know what all the uproar is about unless it’s a distraction from the fact that people’s prices keep going up, and that’s what really I think the president should be focused on is making things affordable, creating jobs and making life better for Americans,” Hobbs said.

.@GovernorHobbs joined @TheBruceStJames & @GaydosKTAR and shared her thoughts on the Pentagon’s investigation into Senator Mark Kelly over his comments to military members that they don’t have to follow illegal orders.

WATCH: https://t.co/aP2OUM3XRM pic.twitter.com/SYhMyWjzCJ

— Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on KTAR News 92.3 (@OutspokenKTAR) November 26, 2025

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