PHOENIX — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a formal letter of censure to Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, citing Kelly’s participation in a video that warned service members they should refuse unlawful military orders.
The censure follows a video released in November that featured Kelly and five other Democrat lawmakers, all of whom have military or national security backgrounds. In the video, the lawmakers told members of the armed forces that they have a duty to uphold the Constitution and should not carry out orders they believe to be illegal.
Hegseth said Kelly’s comments undermined military discipline and the chain of command. In the letter, Hegseth wrote that Kelly’s statements were inconsistent with the obligations of a retired military officer who continues to receive retirement pay.
In a post on X, Hegseth said Kelly’s statements were “seditious in nature” and claimed they encouraged service members to “refuse lawful orders,” which Hegseth believes was intended to undermine good order and military discipline.
Hegseth said, “It warranted administrative action despite Kelly’s status as a sitting U.S. senator.”
Kelly retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain after a 25-year career that included combat deployments and service as a test pilot. The Defense Department has initiated a review of Kelly’s retired military grade, a process that could result in a reduction of both rank and retirement pay if officials determine the conduct was inappropriate.
Kelly currently retires as a Navy captain (O-6), but the review could reduce him to commander (O-5) or, less likely, lieutenant commander (O-4), lowering his military retirement pay accordingly.
According to the Pentagon, the censure will be placed in Kelly’s official military personnel file. Kelly has been notified of the action and will have an opportunity to submit a written response before the review is completed.
President Donald Trump previously criticized the video, calling it “seditious” and accusing the lawmakers involved of encouraging insubordination within the military. Administration officials have argued that retired officers who receive pay remain subject to certain military standards.
Democrat leaders have condemned the censure as politically motivated. Kelly has defended his remarks, saying the video reflected a long-standing principle of military law that service members must refuse unlawful orders.
Legal analysts say disciplinary actions involving retired officers for public speech are uncommon and could face constitutional challenges. The retirement grade review is expected to conclude within the next several weeks.
