They were called the “Seditious Six,” the half dozen lawmakers — all of whom had served in intelligence and or/the military — who issued a video on November 18 demanding that military personnel refuse to obey orders that they thought were unlawful. To many, it was a thinly disguised call to rebellion within the ranks and a clear violation of their sworn duties.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was one of those who agreed with that sentiment, and on Monday, he dropped the hammer in a post to social media. He flat-out called the video “seditious”:
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. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) January 5, 2026
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.
Hegseth didn’t just write a strongly worded letter, though; he took action:
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., will receive a formal censure letter and that he has directed Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to review the retired Navy captain's retirement rank and pay and provide a recommendation in 45 days, sharply escalating an investigation alleging he made "seditious statements" that undermined military operations...
The review could result in a downgrade of Kelly's rank at which he officially retired. As a result, his retirement pay, which is tied to rank, may also be reduced.
A censure letter will also be issued outlining the "totality of Captain Kelly’s reckless misconduct," Hegseth said.
READ MORE: Dem Lawmakers Urge Military, Intelligence Personnel to Defy Authority in Not-at-All Subtle Video
They’re called consequences, Senator. Remember this garbage, which included the participation of Kelly, Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), and Jason Crow (CO-6)? As I wrote at the time: “Their message has all the subtlety of a meat cleaver slamming into a cutting board”:
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
Hegseth’s move could result in reductions in rank, pay, or benefits for the senator, and also puts Kelly on notice that any future misconduct could bring more “finding out.”
Hegseth:
Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.
As we’ve seen with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, and others, it seems to be the season for, to put it politely, “fooling around and finding out.” Looks like Kelly just had a taste, and he more than deserves it after that repugnant video.
For his part, the senator still doesn’t get it. Although he should be cheered for his service to the nation, it’s statements like the one he just issued that show he’s lost the plot:
Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution – including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out. I never expected that the President of the…
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 5, 2026
Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that.
No, undermining our troops and the chain of command is not acceptable, and your honorable past track record does not change that fact.
You should know better.
Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America's military.
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