Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced administrative action against Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday, citing what he called seditious statements about military operations.
Hegseth, in a social media post, said Kelly and five other members of Congress released a video six weeks ago that was intended to undermine military discipline. Kelly, an Arizona Democrat and retired Navy captain, remains subject to military justice despite his current Senate position, Hegseth said.
What Hegseth Ordered
The Defense Department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings that could reduce Kelly’s retired grade and corresponding military pension. Hegseth also issued a formal Letter of Censure that will be placed in Kelly’s permanent military personnel file.
Kelly has 30 days to respond to the action. The retirement grade determination process will be completed within 45 days, according to Hegseth’s announcement.
The actions stem from public statements Kelly made between June and December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and encouraged service members to refuse orders, Hegseth said. This conduct violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Hegseth contended.
The Congressional Video
The video featured Kelly alongside Representatives Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Jason Crow of Colorado. The lawmakers called on Americans to support the Constitution and reject what they characterized as illegal military actions.
Kelly’s Response
Kelly pushed back against the Defense Department’s action in a statement, saying Hegseth was using it to send a message to retired service members. “If they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way,” Kelly said. “It’s outrageous and it is wrong.”
Kelly’s service record merits respect, but it does not shield him from consequences for statements that undermine military command structure, defense officials have argued.
