Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is promising to fight back after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (above right) announced he’s taking administrative action against him.
Over the weekend, Hegseth claimed that public statements by Kelly, including taking part in a group video message several weeks ago reminding troops not to follow illegal orders, amount to sedition.
The defense secretary said in a social media post that he has initiated a formal 45-day process to reduce Kelly’s rank and retirement pay.
Before serving in the U.S. Senate, Kelly spent 25 years as a Navy pilot and retired with full military benefits.
Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) January 5, 2026
The administrative action will include a review of Kelly’s retirement grade, which could result in a change or reduction to his rank, “resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.”
Hegseth added that he’s issued a formal censure letter that will be placed in Kelly’s official military file.
Kelly responded in a statement saying that he had earned his rank in combat and as an astronaut and that Hegseth – “the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history” – is trying to censor free speech and dissent among retired military officers.
“My rank and retirement are things that I earned through my service and sacrifice for this country. I got shot at. I missed holidays and birthdays. I commanded a space shuttle mission while my wife Gabby recovered from a gunshot wound to the head — all while proudly wearing the American flag on my shoulder,” Kelly said.
“Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that,” Kelly added.
At the end of the day, Hegseth wishes he had a tenth of Kelly’s experience and gravitas.
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