- Six Democrat members of Congress really stepped in it with their video message to military members imploring them to ignore "illegal orders" from the Trump administration. It wasn't so much the message (of which soldiers are likely aware given their sworn oaths) as much as it was the implication that President Donald Trump and the U.S. Defense War Department may convey such orders.
But as is usually the case, the Trump administration can't seem to stay out of the way of its political opponents wounding themselves.
The Pentagon launched a misconduct investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.) after he appeared in a video released online encouraging active service members to ignore and defy what Kelly and fellow participating lawmakers called “illegal orders.”
Kelly previously served as a Navy fighter pilot, as well as an astronaut, before retiring at the rank of captain. Retired service members are still held to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Pentagon statement clarifies, which means a retired member can be called back to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative duties, though it is highly unusual for the Pentagon to investigate a sitting lawmaker for something they said.
The investigation was initiated because federal law “prohibit[s] actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces,” the Pentagon statement said, in reference to the video.
Kelly, along with five other lawmakers with either military or intelligence backgrounds, urged U.S. troops to ignore and refuse orders from the Trump administration.
Let's be clear: the six members of Congress urged military members to refuse illegal orders. One could argue they were just stating something unequivocally true and obvious. However, there were definite political repercussions for these Dems due to the mere implication that President Donald Trump may well dole out illegal orders any day now. But with Trump and Defense War Secretary Pete Hegseth now aggressively targeting Kelly, the senior Senator from Arizona has seen his stock rise for 2028, whether it's reelection to the U.S. Senate or......the Democrat nomination for President???? If you believe the latter is far-fetched, I'd like to remind you that Trump's 2024 general election prospects were bolstered in no small part of his being targeted in a dubious legal battle. Much like what Sen. Kelly is facing now.
- The 2026 midterm elections are, as of now, shaping up to be very good for Democrats. Given the GOP majority in the U.S. House is already razor thin, Dems are likely to seize control next year. And what looked to be a safe majority in the Senate for Republicans (53-47) is now appearing somewhat fragile.
The one reliable aspect of any midterm cycle over the past 20 years is Democrats sweeping any and all statewide races in Minnesota. And while I'm understandably skeptical the MNGOP can halt their near two decade losing streak next year, some DFLers aren't exactly brimming with confidence.
Publicly and privately, a number of Democrats are questioning whether (Gov. Tim) Walz’s attempt to become the first Minnesota governor to win three consecutive four-year terms could endanger their party’s hold on the office, as he faces declining support outside the metro and scrutiny for fraud cases during his administration.
Some even worry it could affect other down-ballot races. All four statewide offices, a U.S. Senate seat, control of the Legislature and the state’s eight seats in Congress are on the ballot next fall.
Even before the latest billion dollar fraud was exposed, a majority of Minnesotans surveyed didn't believe Walz should seek a third term. That certainly makes sense given Walz prefers raising his national profile as opposed to rolling up his sleeves and offering solutions to his state's suddenly perilous financial outlook.
Now, if only there were a healthy, stable and competent opposition party in position to take advantage.
- In the 2021, the San Francisco 49ers traded their first round draft pick (12th overall) as well as a 2022 1st and 3rd rounder and 2023 first rounder to move up to #3 overall and select QB Trey Lance.
After getting some playing time in three games (two of them starts) his rookie season, Lance was anointed the starter going into 2022, supplanting veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo. This was considered a bold move at the time given Garoppolo led the Niners to a berth in the Super Bowl in the 2019 season and were a whisker away from going back in 2021. But after only two starts in '22, Lance went on injured reserve due to a severe lower leg injury. Then Garoppolo came back for ten starts only to get hurt, which forced the 49ers to turn the reins over to a rookie who was taken with the literal final pick in that year's draft. A kid by the name of Brock Purdy.
So how did the kid fare? Eh, he merely went 5-0 as a starter and guided the Niners to the NFC title game, where was dealt his first career defeat. That was good enough for the 49ers front office as they jettisoned the talented (but oft injured) Lance for a future fourth round pick just before the 2023 season. So in his first full season as starter in '23, Purdy went 12-4 and led San Francisco to a Super Bowl berth where they fell in overtime to the Kansas CIty Chiefs.
So why I am bringing all this up? Well, there's potentially a similar scenario unfolding here in Minnesota. My Vikings traded their 2024 first round pick (11th overall) as well as their '24 4th and 5th round choices to the Jets in exchange for their 2024 first rounder (10th overall) and that year's sixth rounder. That move was made so the Vikes could draft QB J.J. McCarthy with the hopes he could be their franchise quarterback. But much like Lance, McCarthy has been ineffective over most of his first two seasons (only six starts) with a larger concern being his inability to stay healthy. And since it's likely that a recently concussed McCarthy will miss this Sunday's tilt in Seattle, the Vikings will give way to undrafted rookie QB (and University of Minnesota alum) Max Brosmer. So what happens if Brosmer pulls a Purdy by showing he can play well at this level? Do the Vikings consider pulling the plug on the McCarthy experiment after this season? I mean, the Niners were willing to cut bait on Lance after giving up a heckuva lot more to acquire his draft rights than what Minnesota surrendered to get McCarthy.
Something to keep an eye on!
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