Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tried to brand Sen. Mark Kelly as “seditious” and moved to strip him of his military rank. It hasn’t worked out that way.
Instead, Democratic strategists say the feud has driven attention and millions in campaign cash toward the Arizona Democrat as he “seriously” considers a 2028 presidential run in what will likely be a crowded field. More importantly, it blessed one of the Senate’s most centrist members with an identity as a fighter in a party hungry for confrontation with President Donald Trump.
Each courtroom appearance or attack tweet from Hegseth offers Kelly a fresh chance to get on cable news or send a fundraising text. Trump’s ire earned Kelly a slot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People (Hegseth isn’t on it) and an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” — where he vowed he’s “not backing down.” It also filled a war chest he’s used to back Senate candidates James Talarico and Mary Peltola.