Senator Kelly Slams Defense Secretary Over “Holy War” Remarks

Senator Kelly Criticizes Defense Secretary’s Religious Framing of Military Actions

Senator Mark Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and current member of the Armed Services Committee, has voiced strong disapproval of remarks made by the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, which linked religious concepts to U.S. military operations in Iran.

Artemis 2 Mission Takes Flight, Symbolizing New Era of Space Exploration

The upcoming launch of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission marks a significant milestone, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. This mission, the first crewed trip to lunar space in over 50 years, is set to blast off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. It aims to test critical systems needed for future moon landings and potential missions to Mars.

Astronaut’s Perspective on Space Travel

Senator Kelly, who has traveled to space four times himself, shared his excitement for the Artemis 2 crew. He described the feeling as incredibly exciting, noting the long day ahead for the astronauts as they prepare for liftoff. The mission’s success is seen as a crucial step in America’s return to the moon and a demonstration of the nation’s ability to undertake complex technological challenges.

The Long Road Back to the Moon and Beyond

Returning to the moon after decades requires immense effort and resources. Senator Kelly highlighted that the Artemis program involves multiple flights to test landing systems, with the goal of sending Americans back to the lunar surface, potentially ahead of international competitors. This endeavor not only inspires but also drives technological advancement.

Mars: The Next Frontier?

Many view moon missions as a stepping stone toward a more ambitious goal: sending humans to Mars. Senator Kelly expressed his personal hope to see Americans on Mars within his lifetime, acknowledging the greater challenges involved. The plan is to use the lunar missions to test and refine the technologies necessary for a journey to the Red Planet.

Artemis 2 Mission Details and Astronauts

The Orion spacecraft, powered by the most powerful rocket ever built, will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. During their journey, they will test Orion’s systems, practice rendezvous and docking procedures, and fly 4,000 miles beyond the far side of the moon. This will make them the humans who have traveled farthest from Earth.

Senator Kelly’s Strong Opposition to Religious Rhetoric in Military Strategy

Shifting focus to geopolitical matters, Senator Kelly strongly criticized Secretary Hegseth’s comments about a “holy war” in Iran. Kelly stated, “I’ve never heard a Secretary of Defense say things like this. I don’t think it’s appropriate.” He emphasized that as a person of faith, this is not how military personnel should view their missions. Kelly finds it “pretty objectionable” for the Secretary of Defense to intertwine religion with combat operations.

Concerns Over U.S. Strategy in Iran

Kelly questioned the effectiveness and rationale behind the current U.S. strategy regarding Iran. He argued that such religious framing does not help the American people, especially concerning economic issues like rent, groceries, and gasoline. He expressed concern about the potential deployment of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran, calling it a significant risk that could lead to loss of life.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate. You know, as I’m Catholic, as a person of faith, you know, this isn’t the way that, you know, warfighters should be thinking about a mission that the government asked them to be on.”

Critique of Trump Administration’s Iran Policy

The Senator criticized the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, stating it lacked a strategic plan, vision, goals, timeline, or exit strategy. He pointed out the stated reasons for intervention, such as regime change and nuclear weapons, as unclear and potentially flawed. Kelly stressed that the primary mission should be to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, a problem exacerbated by current policies.

Disagreement on Military Conduct and Discipline

The conversation also touched upon a recent incident involving military helicopter pilots flying over the home of musician Kid Rock. While the suspensions for the pilots were lifted, Senator Kelly expressed disagreement with Pete Hegseth’s public commentary on the matter. Kelly believes such issues should be handled by the Army, stating, “He should let the Army deal with this.”

Differing Views on Patriotism and Military Duty

Despite generally disagreeing with Hegseth, Kelly hoped the pilots involved would not be punished, calling the act a “dumb thing to do” but also acknowledging that young pilots sometimes make mistakes. He referred to the service members as “patriots serving their country” who take significant risks with their lives.

Source: 'I don't think it's appropriate': Sen. Kelly slams Hegseth for linking religion with combat (YouTube)