The Pentagon has announced intentions to demote Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, citing a video they consider “seditious.” This decision could result in a pension reduction for the former Navy Captain. Pentagon officials believe the video undermines military discipline.
Details of the Pentagon’s Decision
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized Kelly and five other Congress members for their video, stating it was reckless. Hegseth’s comments came via a post on X, where he emphasized the expectations of accountability from retired military personnel.
- Senator Mark Kelly is a former Navy pilot and astronaut.
- The video was released amid U.S. military actions against alleged drug-trafficking boats.
- Kelly has 30 days to respond to the notice from the Pentagon.
The Nature of the Controversial Video
In the contentious video released in November, Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers urged military personnel to ignore unlawful orders. Kelly stated, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.” He also highlighted that threats to the Constitution may arise from domestic sources, not just foreign adversaries.
Political Reactions and Responses
Trump reacted forcefully to the video, labeling the lawmakers’ actions as “seditious behavior at the highest level.” Following this, his administration initiated a review of Kelly’s conduct under military law. Kelly defended himself by stating, “If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs, it won’t work.”
Despite Kelly’s retirement from military service, experts note that he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This federal law, enacted in 1951, governs military personnel and reflects ongoing debates regarding Congressional speech and military accountability.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear what the outcome of the Pentagon’s actions will be or how these events will impact Kelly’s career and the broader political landscape.
