Secretary of War Pete Hegseth just slammed the hammer down on Democrat Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, over his participation in a video in November that called for U.S. military service members to disobey orders from their Commander in Chief.
Hegseth just announced that Kelly will be receiving a formal letter of censure, and his retirement rank and pay is now being reviewed.
Kelly has 30 days to respond.
Hegseth’s full statement released Monday morning reads as follows:
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 is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.
Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret). The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.
To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct. This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file.
Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response. The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty five days.
Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.
These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.
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
In mid-November, six Democrats in U.S. Congress – two senators and four representatives – released a video montage which encouraged members of the U.S. military to disobey “illegal” orders from their Commander in Chief.
The Democrats participating in the stunt were Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ), Rep. Chris DeLuzio (Pa.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH), and Rep. Jason Crow (Col.).
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an anti-Trump Republican, sneered at Hegseth’s statement Monday morning, writing, “You’re such a dork.”
You’re such a dork
— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@AdamKinzinger) January 5, 2026
However, former nuclear scientist Matt Van Swol wrote, “I am fully convinced that if Congress had been briefed on the operation in Venezuela, Mark Kelly would have called up Maduro and let him know about it. What I saw over the weekend from Democrats in Congress will stick with me forever. They are for every country but America.”
I am fully convinced that if Congress had been briefed on the operation in Venezuela, Mark Kelly would have called up Maduro and let him know about it.
What I saw over the weekend from Democrats in Congress will stick with me forever.
They are for every country but America.
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) January 5, 2026
SEE IT: Democrats release video urging members of the military and CIA to disobey orders
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