This

is what the White House Press Secretary said:

“If you want to go after General Kelly, that’s up to you,” she said. “But I think that that—if you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that that’s something highly inappropriate.”

Horeseshit. 

Just because you've served your country doesn't mean people don't have the right to engage in debate with you or question your statements. 

In fact? 

That's what your service to your country was defending.