Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly Talks European Foreign Policy

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Recorded at: Munich Security Conference

Episode Overview

In this episode, Senator Mark Kelly joins Bloomberg live from the Munich Security Conference to discuss U.S.-European relations, ongoing unrest with Iran, recent tensions within the U.S. military and political system, and the looming government shutdown over Homeland Security funding. Senator Kelly, a member of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees and a former naval aviator, shares his perspective on the current administration’s foreign and domestic policies, his own legal battles relating to free speech in the military, and the state of negotiations around U.S. border security agencies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Europe Relations & Munich Conference [00:07–02:16]

• European Allies’ Concerns:
  • Senator Kelly describes widespread apprehension among European officials regarding current U.S. policies.
    • Quote:
      • “They're really concerned about some of the actions that this White House has taken over the last year... I was just meeting with somebody from Denmark, and the discussion, as you might imagine, goes to Greenland... How is it that the United States of America was starting to go down the path of making a decision to use force against one of our NATO allies? This is unprecedented.” (Sen. Kelly, 00:40)
  • Emphasizes his intent to signal that not all Americans share the President’s approach:
    • Quote:
      • “What this president and White House might believe is not what all Americans believe. If you go just like one level down in the government... there's a huge difference of opinion.” (Sen. Kelly, 01:30)
  • Importance of unity among allies against common adversaries is reiterated.

2. Iran, U.S. Military Actions, and Regime Shifts [02:16–05:22]

• Carrier Groups Redeployed to Iran:
  • Kelly refuses to predict U.S. action, but describes the situation as a “tipping point” for the Iranian regime.
    • Quote:
      • “This oppressive regime that has been in place since the late 1970s, we could see it finally go away... That would be a huge win for the entire region.” (Sen. Kelly, 02:56)
  • A successful military operation against Iran’s nuclear program did not, contrary to the President’s claim, “obliterate” the program.
    • Quote:
      • “There was significant damage done... but what the President said was far from true. We did not obliterate it. They have the ability to rebuild it...” (Sen. Kelly, 04:07)
  • Cautions that further kinetic actions could backfire and criticizes the President’s decision-making:
    • Quote:
      • “My biggest concern here with this president is I don't see a guy who brings the right people together to get the right information to make informed decisions about anything.” (Sen. Kelly, 03:35)

3. Free Speech, Military Discipline, and Political Retaliation [05:22–08:49]

• Defense Secretary’s Attempted Demotion of Kelly:
  • Secretary Pete Hegseth has tried to demote Kelly and strip his retirement benefits over a video that the administration deemed seditious.
    • Quote:
      • “Donald Trump said, I should be hanged, executed, prosecuted, and then he sicked Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, on me to demote me, take away some of my retirement pay.” (Sen. Kelly, 06:02)
  • Kelly underscores the constitutional stakes:
    • Quote:
      • “This is about the free speech rights of 2 million retired service members and millions of other Americans who have a right to say what they believe and speak out against the government.” (Sen. Kelly, 06:40)
  • Emphasizes unprecedented attacks on members of Congress and chilling effects on dissent.
    • Quote:
      • “The President just tried to throw myself and another U.S. senator and members of the House in prison. He's trying to imprison us because he doesn't like what we're saying...” (Sen. Kelly, 07:13)
  • The DOJ’s poor communication and the broader threat this represents:
    • Quote:
      • “What we hear very little from the DOJ... the next thing we find out from the press is they attempted to indict us. I mean, this is not how these processes are supposed to work.” (Sen. Kelly, 08:08)
  • Final warning:
    • Quote:
      • “The worst thing about this, though, is the message it sends to the American people that if you speak out against this government... they're going to come after you. And that is just fundamentally un-American.” (Sen. Kelly, 08:33)

4. Looming Homeland Security Shutdown & ICE Criticism [08:49–10:49]

• DHS Closure and ICE Oversight:
  • Senator Kelly harshly criticizes ICE for recent misconduct:
    • Quote:
      • “What we've seen from ICE... is an agency that has just run amok and is violating the constitutional rights of thousands and thousands of Americans.” (Sen. Kelly, 09:16)
    • Personal Constituency Example:
      • “I have a constituent that was just standing on the sidewalk and a federal agent in a vehicle just sprays her in the face with Mace. I mean, what is going on?” (Sen. Kelly, 09:38)
  • Calls for an overhaul of ICE and resistance to further funding without reforms:
    • Quote:
      • “I am not in favor of funding them beyond what they [have]... They do not need more resources that will go towards violating the rights of the American people.” (Sen. Kelly, 10:11)
  • Recognizes knock-on effects for TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, but insists reforms are necessary.

5. Negotiations and Prospects for a Deal [10:49–11:23]

• Prospects for a Resolution:
  • Kelly maintains the Democrats sent a “reasonable proposal” and accuses Republicans of an “unreasonable and unserious response.”
    • Quote:
      • “Republicans know what they need to do here... Many of them realize that this situation has gotten out of control and it has to be fixed.” (Sen. Kelly, 10:50)
  • Stresses readiness for a deal once serious negotiation resumes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Kelly on U.S./European Divide:
  “What this president and White House might believe is not what all Americans believe.” (01:30)
• Sen. Kelly on Military Action in Iran:
  “We did not obliterate [Iran’s nuclear program]... They have the ability to rebuild it...” (04:07)
• Sen. Kelly on Political Retaliation:
  “The President just tried to throw myself and another U.S. senator and members of the House in prison... We're certainly in uncharted territory already.” (07:13)
• Sen. Kelly on ICE:
  “This agency needs to be overhauled. People need to be fired... They do not need more resources that will go towards violating the rights of the American people.” (09:55, 10:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------|-------------| | U.S.-Europe Relations | 00:07–02:16 | | Iran & U.S. Military Action | 02:16–05:22 | | Free Speech/Military Retaliation | 05:22–08:49 | | Homeland Security/ICE Shutdown | 08:49–10:49 | | Negotiations & Deal Prospects | 10:49–11:23 |

Tone & Observations

Senator Kelly speaks with frankness and urgency, voicing deep concerns over the direction of current U.S. foreign and domestic policies, especially under the Trump administration. He is critical, personal, and resolute, often linking his own experiences to broader constitutional issues. The tone is both combative and earnest, underscored by a strong defense of American democratic principles and alliances.

For listeners seeking a thorough understanding of current tensions in American foreign and domestic policy—from U.S.-European relationships to constitutional fights at home—this conversation with Senator Mark Kelly delivers both candor and insight.