Senator Mark Kelly to meet with Veterans this week

Senator Mark Kelly joined “Arizona Horizon” host and managing editor Ted Simons to discuss a variety of topics including Veterans and cuts to Medicaid. Senator Kelly is in Arizona this week to meet with local Veterans.

He said there is a lot of chaos and uncertainty regarding economics, the relationships between the U.S. and other countries, as well as relationships with adversaries. Senator Kelly’s largest concern is the effect of the Trump administration’s treatment of countries that have been close allies with the U.S. for decades.

Ukraine said no to U.S proposal to end the war, why?

“Those two negotiating points were given up before the negotiation started so at this point, the administration is kind of leaning on the side of what the Russian plan of what a ceasefire is. That is not in our best interest as a country. We cannot come out of this,” Senator Kelly said.

He said he would like to see his Republican colleagues, especially in the Senate, do what is deemed right for “our country and our national security and the national security of our allies.”

What happens if the U.S. abandons Ukraine?

“We’ll see how much the Europeans can step in to support them, they can certainly do more, I think they will do more. Without our support, without our leadership, without us rallying our allies in support of this ally Ukraine, ultimately I think the chance of Russia being successful is much much higher without our support,” Senator Kelly said.

U.S. Defense in turmoil, thoughts?

Senator Kelly said that the Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is “ill-equipped” for “one of the most complicated jobs on the planet.”

“There was no world where it would have ever occurred to me that the Secretary of Defense was going to let people know, on an unsecured system, what my launch time was, what my time on target was, what platform I was flying, what weapon systems were going to be deployed on that strike. That is not something anybody would ever expect to happen. They say this was not classified information, or it’s not a war plan, this is the most sensitive information we have,” Senator Kelly said.

He said the U.S. is “very lucky” that information was not leaked or accessed by outside countries such as Russia. Senator Kelly added that the Department of Defense is currently chaotic due to their leadership.

Tariff situation…

Senator Kelly said that the constant percentage change on tariffs between different countries has caused many companies confusion and has interrupted plans on their charges toward international customers.

From what is happening in Washington, D.C., what is your advice?

“Get involved. These things matter. They matter to you. Tariffs are going to raise costs for your family, prices are going to go up if these tariffs don’t go away,” Senator Kelly said.