Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly took formal action Monday against Sen. Mark Kelly, moving to demote the Arizona Democrat’s military rank following his participation in a controversial video that critics say undermined military discipline and the chain of command.
In a statement, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon has launched retirement grade determination proceedings, a formal process that could result in Kelly being reduced in rank for retirement purposes. Such a reduction would also carry a corresponding cut in retired pay, according to the Defense Department.
The action stems from Kelly’s appearance in a recent video alongside five other Democrats, in which the group reminded U.S. service members that they have the right to refuse illegal orders from their superiors. While supporters of the message framed it as a reminder of lawful conduct, Hegseth characterized Kelly’s involvement as reckless and damaging.
In addition to initiating the retirement grade review, Hegseth said he issued a formal letter of censure against Kelly. The letter, he explained, details what he described as the “totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct.”
“This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X, making clear that the reprimand is not symbolic but a lasting mark on Kelly’s service record.
The move underscores the Trump administration’s emphasis on military order and discipline, particularly at a time when officials argue that political messaging aimed at troops risks sowing confusion within the ranks. Hegseth’s statement suggests the Pentagon views Kelly’s actions not simply as political speech, but as conduct with potential consequences for good order and command authority.
Retirement grade determinations are used by the Defense Department to assess whether an officer’s conduct warrants retiring at a lower rank than the one held at the end of service. A downgrade can significantly affect both legacy and financial benefits, making the process a serious step rather than a routine review.
Hegseth’s reference to Kelly as “Captain (for now)” highlighted that the outcome of the proceedings is still pending, but also signaled that the secretary believes a reduction is justified. The Defense Department has not yet announced a timeline for when the review will be completed.
Kelly, a former Navy pilot, has not publicly responded to Hegseth’s action as of Monday. His participation in the video drew criticism from administration officials and some veterans’ advocates, who argued that messaging encouraging troops to question orders, even with legal caveats, risks politicizing the armed forces.
The episode reflects a broader clash between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers over the role of politics in the military. Administration officials have repeatedly said service members should not be drawn into partisan debates and that elected officials with military backgrounds bear a special responsibility to avoid blurring those lines.
By moving forward with a censure and potential demotion, Hegseth sent a clear message that senior civilian leadership will act decisively when it believes military norms have been crossed. The decision is likely to intensify debate on Capitol Hill, where Democrats are expected to accuse the administration of retaliation, while supporters argue the Pentagon is simply enforcing long-standing standards of conduct.
For now, Kelly’s retired rank and pay remain under review, but Hegseth’s action marks one of the most direct disciplinary moves taken against a sitting senator over conduct tied to military service.
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