Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Monday that Sen. Mark Kelly would receive a retired grade reduction and a reduction in pay over his appearance in a video instructing troops not to follow illegal orders and urging federal intelligence personnel to uphold their oaths to defend the Constitution.
“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,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X. “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.”
Kelly will have 30 days to reply to the official letter of censure, Hegseth said on X.