Mark Kelly wants investigation into Trump handling of Russian bounties

Mark Kelly calls for investigation into Trump's handling of possible Russian bounties

Retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, the Democratic Senate candidate in Arizona, called for an investigation into the handling by President Donald Trump and his administration of intelligence reports suggesting Russia offered bounties for murdering U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

Kelly said the administration must answer for the allegations, which, if true, represent a significant escalation in the challenges the U.S. has had with Russia in the Middle East.

Kelly, a former Navy fighter pilot, told The Arizona Republic this week the United States must determine who authorized the bounties, determine their motivations, and then evaluate the reportedly differing views by American intelligence agencies about the information.

"We can't allow the Russian intelligence agency to take these kinds of actions and then as a nation not respond," he said. "We've got to have the backs of our troops, especially when they are in a combat theater."

Kelly called for a proportional response against Russia, perhaps in the form of economic action or sanctions. His comments Thursday followed his previous statements that called the alleged bounties "staggering."

The reports that Russia offered bounties to Taliban militants for American troops casts a bright light on Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and could emerge as a campaign issue in Arizona's Senate race.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat following the death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is running for re-election. She faces a primary challenge from the right in businessman Daniel McCarthy but is widely expected to face Kelly in November.

McSally and her allies are working to make China a centerpiece of the closely-watched race, which could help determine whether Republicans hang onto their majority.

The strategy relies in part on blaming the nation for the spread of the deadly new coronavirus, and talking to voters about Kelly’s business background that includes indirect ties to Chinese investors friendly with the ruling Communist Party in Beijing.

The White House has downplayed the revelations of the bounties, first published by The New York Times. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has said the intelligence information was not corroborated and that there were differing views on it by intelligence officials.

She said Wednesday that Trump had not been verbally briefed on the information prior to news stories. She would not say if he received written briefings on the intelligence, as multiple news reports have suggested he has.

In an interview Tuesday with The Arizona Republic and its political podcast, The Gaggle, McSally did not criticize Trump over the reports. She instead denounced the leaking of the intelligence information and politicization of it.

McSally's comments came after she had read classified documents related to the allegations.

Kelly said the information leaks were not ideal, but now that the information is in the public realm, Trump and Congress should be focused on a response.

"Intelligence leaks is a problem, too, but that's not the biggest problem," he said of the current situation.

He added: "What I'm more concerned about is what is our response needs to be … Somebody needs to make it clear to the Russian president that this is unacceptable —we're not going to stand for this."

Have news to share about Arizona's U.S. senators or national politics? Reach the reporter on Twitter and Facebook. Contact her at [email protected] and 602-444-4712.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Subscribe for free to The Gaggle political podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you listen to audio content.