The US Department of War has initiated a formal process to strip a Democratic senator of his military rank and halt his pension, following the lawmaker's release of a controversial video addressing active-duty troops.
Administrative Action Over 'Reckless' Video
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly's retired rank of Navy Captain and his associated pay. The move comes six weeks after Kelly, alongside five other Democratic members of Congress, released a video described by the Pentagon as "reckless and seditious."
In a strongly-worded statement, Secretary Hegseth accused the group of aiming to "undermine good order and military discipline." He confirmed the department is taking administrative action in response to what he termed Kelly's "pattern of reckless misconduct."
The Contentious Video and Legal Threat
The video, released in November 2025, featured Senator Kelly and his colleagues invoking their military and intelligence backgrounds. They urged service members to refuse "illegal orders," though the video did not specify which orders it referred to or directly accuse President Donald Trump or Secretary Hegseth of unlawful activity.
The reaction from the administration was swift and severe. President Trump labelled the actions "seditious" and "treason" on his Truth Social platform, suggesting such behaviour was "punishable by DEATH!" and reposting a message stating "HANG THEM."
Secretary Hegseth's censure letter, now with Senator Kelly, argues that because the senator is retired but still receives military pay, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The letter pointedly refers to Kelly as "Captain (for now)."
Senator's Defence and Wider Implications
Senator Kelly, a retired Navy captain, has thirty days to formally respond to the letter. A full review of his military standing is expected to be completed within forty-five days. He has previously stated he will not be intimidated, telling the Daily Mail: "I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."
Notably, the other five Democrats in the video—including former CIA analyst Senator Elissa Slotkin and former Army Ranger Representative Jason Crow—will not face similar Pentagon investigations. Secretary Hegseth noted in November that they do not fall under the department's jurisdiction, as they are not currently drawing military pay.
This confrontation marks a significant escalation in tensions between the administration and legislative critics, centring on the boundaries of political speech, military ethics, and the chain of command.
