Navy delivers report to Hegseth on potential of punishment for Sen. Mark Kelly over illegal orders video
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Pentagon Moves to Reduce Senator Kelly's Rank Over Video
Is Kelly being politically targeted for promoting constitutional duty, or facing accountability for undermining military discipline and chain of command?
Above: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly on Capitol Hill on Dec. 16, 2025. Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Hegseth's cowardly attempt to punish Kelly — a decorated Navy captain with 25 years of service and four Space Shuttle missions — for stating constitutional truth is pure political retribution. Kelly correctly cited the Law of War Manual requiring refusal of illegal orders, exercising his First Amendment rights while Hegseth and President Donald Trump issue unlawful commands daily. This unilateral action, bypassing court-martial, proves they know the case would fail.
Republican narrative
Kelly 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, 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.
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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