Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) questioned Rear Admiral David C. Barata of the United States Coast Guard on the so-called "Seditious Six" video featuring Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released in November in a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
As Cactus Politics reported, Sen. Kelly was one of six members of Congress who appeared in a video addressed to members of the United States Armed Forces, reminding them that they can refuse to carry out unlawful orders. That appearance led to Sen. Kelly being investigated and court-martialed.
Rear Admiral Barata said that while he personally had not watched the video, he reiterated that those under his command would carry out lawful orders.
"I find it interesting, Admiral, that I did not see any videos made like that from members of Congress during the Biden Administration," Rep. Crane noted, submitting a CNN article for the record about the Biden Administration authorizing new drone strike and commando raid rules for the Pentagon and CIA, then asked, "Did you notice that no members of Congress, including Senator Kelly, made any videos during this time?"
Barata replied that he was unfamiliar with the article, yet the Arizona congressman, a Navy veteran, reminded him that "we get that training in basic training that we are not supposed to follow unlawful orders," which Barata confirmed.
"So do you find that video a little bit odd, knowing that we all know that?" Crane asked.
Barata answered, "I find that, for me, as I reflect on it, I think it is unnecessary. I think our personnel will know to follow lawful orders and to question unlawful orders."
"That's what I thought, too," Crane concluded.
Crane's colleague, Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), fiercely condemned the "Seditious Six" video in December, saying, "The reason Democrats refuse to name what they consider to be illegal orders by President Trump is that they want our military and intelligence community to question EVERY order they receive from this administration."
