Hegseth announces action against Mark Kelly over 'seditious' video

Hegseth further stated that Kelly's conduct violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Published: January 5, 2026 10:17am

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday announced administrative action against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over his participation in a video that he deemed "reckless and seditious."

Kelly, in November, appeared alongside several other Democratic lawmakers in a video urging American servicemembers to disobey "illegal orders" from President Donald Trump. The video generated outcry from conservatives, many of whom suggested the lawmakers were attempting to incite disloyalty in the military.

"[T]he Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret)," Hegseth announced. "The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay."

"To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct," he added. "This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file."

Hegseth further stated that Kelly's conduct violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.

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