On Monday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth moved to demote Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) military rank, alleging he made “seditious statements” that undermined military operations.
“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,” Hegseth said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.”
The review of Kelly’s rank could result in a downgrade from the rank at which he officially retired. As a result, his retirement pay, which is tied to rank, may also be reduced.
A censure letter will also be issued outlining the “totality of Captain Kelly’s reckless misconduct,” Hegseth said.
“This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file,” Hegseth said.
The department added that Kelly’s status as a sitting U.S. senator “does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.”
The department added that such actions against Kelly are based on his public statements from June through December 2025, in which he “characterized lawful military operations as illegal and encouraged members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders.”
This comes after multiple Democrat lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds, including Kelly; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Rep. Jason Crow released a video directed at service members and intelligence officers stating: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
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I support Pete!!
Good for the orders to bust a lousy senator down in rank and retirement pay I sincerely hope. It is time for these morons to answer for their actions! What was he, a lower level grunt in the command line?. Definitely NOT leader material.