The U.S. Department of Defense has launched unprecedented disciplinary action against Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, over a video the Pentagon characterizes as seditious material undermining military discipline. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced via social media platform X that the department has initiated retirement-grade determination proceedings that could result in Kelly’s demotion and reduced military pension.
The controversy stems from a November video featuring Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds, in which they advised U.S. service members that they retain the right to refuse unlawful orders. The video emerged during heightened scrutiny of American military strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels operating near South American coastlines.
In his official statement, Secretary Hegseth asserted that ‘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.’ He emphasized that as a retired officer still receiving military benefits, Kelly remains subject to military justice protocols.
The senator, who served as a Navy pilot for over two decades with multiple deployments, immediately denounced the Pentagon’s action as ‘outrageous’ and ‘un-American.’ In his response on X, Kelly declared: ‘If Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history, thinks he can intimidate me with a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me, he still doesn’t get it. I will fight this with everything I’ve got.’
Legal experts note that while retired military personnel technically remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the application of these provisions against a sitting member of Congress for political speech presents unprecedented constitutional questions. Kelly has thirty days to submit an official response to the Pentagon’s notice as the proceedings move forward.