Two Republican senators have expressed concern over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to take punitive action against Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona. This stems from a video released in November 2023, which featured several lawmakers urging military personnel to disregard unlawful orders. The senators who cautioned Hegseth are Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Hegseth announced on March 11, 2024, that he would pursue measures to demote Kelly and reduce his military pension in response to the video. In a post on social media platform X, he stated, “As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. The Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.” He further indicated that administrative actions against Kelly would be initiated, citing 10 U.S.C. 1370(f), which allows for adjustments to retirement grades.
Tillis criticized the Pentagon’s censure of Kelly, labeling it “ridiculous,” but also acknowledged the senator’s involvement in what he termed “rage bait.” He remarked, “That video was rage bait but my gosh, he is a U.S. senator who operates in a political world.” Collins, on the other hand, deemed Hegseth’s actions towards Kelly’s pension as inappropriate.
In response to Hegseth’s announcement, Kelly defended his position and criticized the Defense Secretary. He pointed out the implications of Hegseth’s threats, stating, “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.”
The video that sparked this controversy featured not only Kelly but also several other prominent lawmakers. Among them were Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former Central Intelligence Agency agent, and representatives such as Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow, all of whom have military backgrounds.
Hegseth’s actions have raised questions about the balance of accountability and free speech among retired military personnel. His formal Letter of Censure, which will be placed in Kelly’s military personnel file, is part of what he describes as a “necessary process step.”
As the political ramifications of this situation unfold, the discourse surrounding the responsibilities of lawmakers, particularly those with military ties, continues to gain attention. The involvement of key Republican figures highlights the complexities of military accountability and political expression in a divided Congress.
