In a New Year’s Day message on social media, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, reflected on a tumultuous 2025 — a year in which President Donald Trump called for his execution.
"2025 was a really challenging year, for a lot of different reasons. I think, I’d put at the top of the list, Donald Trump in the White House, his second term," Kelly said.
Happy New Year’s, folks. Last year was tough, but the good news is 2026 is our opportunity to turn the page and put our country on a better path forward. That work starts right now. pic.twitter.com/9ZT2nxDcKv
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) January 1, 2026
Kelly, a former Navy captain, was among several congressional Democrats who posted a video in November reminding military members that they do not have to carry out illegal orders.
Trump responded by suggesting the lawmakers should face the death penalty.
"The First Amendment is something that he seems to — could give a crap about. He made that perfectly clear when he said I should be hanged! I mean, hanged for saying something that was truthful, and just basically stating the law," Kelly said.
Kelly criticized Trump for openly pursuing wealth for himself and family members during his second term, saying he has meanwhile neglected the challenges of housing, food and health-care costs for Americans.
