Pete Hegseth pushes to strip Democrat of military rank and pension

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, US POLITICAL REPORTER

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has moved to strip a Democratic senator's military rank and pay after he released a video calling on troops to disobey orders. 'Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly (pictured) — and five other members of Congress— released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline,' the secretary wrote in a statement. 'Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action.'

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has moved to strip a Democratic senator's military rank and pay after he released a video calling on troops to disobey orders. 'Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly (pictured) — and five other members of Congress— released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline,' the secretary wrote in a statement. 'Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action.'

The Pentagon boss sent a censure letter to Kelly to inform him of the pending review of his rank and pension. The letter is a 'necessary' step to punish the Democrat, the letter states. ArizonaDemocratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, called on active duty soldiers to refuse 'illegal orders' while invoking his own service in the armed forces. 'Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,' Kelly and a handful of other Democratic lawmakers said in a video released in November.

The Pentagon boss sent a censure letter to Kelly to inform him of the pending review of his rank and pension. The letter is a 'necessary' step to punish the Democrat, the letter states. ArizonaDemocratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, called on active duty soldiers to refuse 'illegal orders' while invoking his own service in the armed forces. 'Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,' Kelly and a handful of other Democratic lawmakers said in a video released in November.

All six of the Democrats in the video touted their own military or intelligence backgrounds, though they did not specify what illegal orders were given or if President Donald Trump or Hegseth were engaged in unlawful activity. Kelly has 30 days to respond to the censure letter, and a full review of his standing with the military will be completed in 45 days. '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,' Hegseth states.

All six of the Democrats in the video touted their own military or intelligence backgrounds, though they did not specify what illegal orders were given or if President Donald Trump or Hegseth were engaged in unlawful activity. Kelly has 30 days to respond to the censure letter, and a full review of his standing with the military will be completed in 45 days. '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,' Hegseth states.

Since he is retired and still receiving payment from the military, the Arizona senator is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the letter claims. It also cheekily refers to Kelly as 'Captain (for now).' Last month, the lawmaker released a statement saying he would not be intimidated by bullies. 'If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution,' Kelly told the Daily Mail.

Since he is retired and still receiving payment from the military, the Arizona senator is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the letter claims. It also cheekily refers to Kelly as 'Captain (for now).' Last month, the lawmaker released a statement saying he would not be intimidated by bullies. 'If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution,' Kelly told the Daily Mail.

His actions, and those of the other Democrats in the video, enraged the president. The president issued a statement on Truth Social at the time calling their actions 'seditious' and 'treason,' while demanding they be executed via hanging. 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!' before reposting another them that stated, 'HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!' Hegseth noted in November that the other five Democrats will not be investigated because they do not fall under the Pentagon's jurisdiction.

His actions, and those of the other Democrats in the video, enraged the president. The president issued a statement on Truth Social at the time calling their actions 'seditious' and 'treason,' while demanding they be executed via hanging. 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!' before reposting another them that stated, 'HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!' Hegseth noted in November that the other five Democrats will not be investigated because they do not fall under the Pentagon's jurisdiction.

Pete HegsethDonald TrumpDemocratsPolitics

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