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Snapshot 5:Mon, Jan 5, 2026 7:51:13 PM GMT last edited by MattKalman

Pentagon Moves to Reduce Sen. Kelly's Rank Over Video

Pentagon Moves to Reduce Sen. Kelly's Rank Over Video

Pentagon Moves to Reduce Sen. Kelly's Rank Over Video
Above: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly on Capitol Hill on Dec. 16, 2025. Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Spin

Hegseth's cowardly attempt to punish Mark Kelly — a decorated Navy captain with 25 years of service and four Space Shuttle missions — for stating constitutional truth exposesis pure political retribution. Kelly correctly cited the Law of War Manual requiring refusal of illegal orders, exercising his First Amendment rights while TrumpHegseth and HegsethPresident Trump issue unlawful commands daily. This unilateral action bypassing court martial proves they know the case would fail.

Kelly's must face the music for his seditious video, which deliberately undermined military discipline by encouraging troops to disobey the Commander in Chief without specifying any actual illegal orders. Trump's use of the National Guard follows clear precedent from Eisenhower and Kennedy enforcing federal law, making Kelly's statements a policy dispute disguised as legal concern. Accountability under the Uniform Code of Military Justice remains regardless of Senate status and Hegseth is correct to take these actions.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 3% chance that Kelly will be recalled to active duty in the U.S. military before April 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0