(NewsNation) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday announced he is censuring Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., in response to a video issued by a group of lawmakers reminding service members to refuse to follow unlawful orders.
In a social media post, Hegseth referred to the video as “seditious” and “clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline.”
Kelly responded with his own post, calling Hegseth the “most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history” and saying he would not be intimidated.
Kelly receives a military pension as a retired captain, and according to Hegseth’s post, is still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The post states that the Defense Department has started retirement grade determination proceedings to reduce Kelly’s retirement grade and pension.
“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” Hegseth wrote in the post. “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.”
Kelly posted on social media detailing his service record and noting that he fought and risked his life to defend the Constitution, including the First Amendment.
“Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that,” he said.
Kelly will have 30 days to respond to a formal letter notifying him of the actions being taken. The retirement grade determination process is expected to be completed within 45 days.