Hegseth Starts Proceedings Against Sen. Mark Kelly Over His Remarks

[squistion 2,698]

From NYT subscriber content:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/hegseth-mark-kelly.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20260105&instance_id=168826&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=125207237&segment_id=213149&user_id=14502a7228c5a9b835a15627514bfe28

Hegseth Starts Proceedings Against Sen. Mark Kelly Over His Remarks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military had started administrative actions against Senator Mark Kelly, Democrat of Arizona, that could result in a reduction in his retirement rank and military pension.

In November, Mr. Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers who served in the military or the intelligence community released a video reminding their still-serving counterparts that they were obligated to refuse illegal orders.

In a social media message issued on Monday, Mr. Hegseth called the video “seditious” and criticized Mr. Kelly for a “pattern of reckless misconduct” aimed at undermining good order and discipline in the ranks.

Mr. Kelly and his lawyers maintained last month that the senator was simply articulating a fundamental principle of military law. They noted that Mr. Hegseth had made similar statements in the past.

“If you’re doing something that is just completely unlawful and ruthless, then there is a consequence for that,” Mr. Hegseth said in a speech to the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley in 2016. “That’s why the military said it won’t follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief.”

In the video that prompted Mr. Hegseth and President Trump’s ire, Mr. Kelly said: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”

Mr. Kelly, who retired from the Navy as a captain, flew 39 combat missions as a naval aviator and four spaceflights as an astronaut.

As a retired naval officer, Mr. Kelly is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and therefore can be recalled to active duty and disciplined. The other Democratic lawmakers in the video did not serve long enough to retire and do not receive a pension or fall under military law.

Mr. Hegseth also said he had issued a “formal Letter of Censure” that will be entered into Mr. Kelly’s permanent personnel file. The decision on whether to reduce his retirement rank and pension will be made over the next 45 days, Mr. Hegseth wrote in his message on social media. 

[...]

 

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

They're such evil people.

[Tree of Knowledge 2,295]

Seditious Senator Dobby did the old FAFO

 

 

 

 

[Hardcore troubadour 16,173]

This is good news.  The military thrives on good order and discipline. This will serve as a reminder to the ranks that it’s back after Obama and Biden failed to instill it. 

[Strike 6,109]

8 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

They're such evil people.

Agreed.  Kelly and anyone like him should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,536]

Good.

[supermike80 2,173]

Say what you want....this is a good thing.   The military MUST be a cohesive unit.   

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

22 minutes ago, Strike said:

Agreed.  Kelly and anyone like him should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Why what did Kelly do?

[Fnord 2,688]

6 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

Say what you want....this is a good thing.   The military MUST be a cohesive unit.   

I'm going to tag you to unpack this because you're just a misinformed Republican and not a MAGAmook.

Can you explain to me how focking with the pension of a US Rep, who is also a decorated veteran, is a good thing? 

Kelly made a video explaining the law and encouraged US military personnel to follow the law.

How exactly is this not A) a gross infringement on his 1A rights and b) selective political prosecution? You cannot tell me with honesty that this represents some kind of threat or crime.

 

[Strike 6,109]

1 minute ago, Ron_Artest said:

Why what did Kelly do?

You don't know?  You sure like opining on things you're ignorant about.  Maybe sit one out?

[Tree of Knowledge 2,295]

1 minute ago, Fnord said:

I'm going to tag you to unpack this because you're just a misinformed Republican and not a MAGAmook.

Can you explain to me how focking with the pension of a US Rep, who is also a decorated veteran, is a good thing? 

Kelly made a video explaining the law and encouraged US military personnel to follow the law.

How exactly is this not A) a gross infringement on his 1A rights and b) selective political prosecution? You cannot tell me with honesty that this represents some kind of threat or crime.

 

Benedict Arnold was also well decorated 

[Fnord 2,688]

Just now, Tree of Knowledge said:

Benedict Arnold was also well decorated 

Thanks for the input. Are you suggesting Mr. Kelly and Mr. Arnold have other things in common as well?

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

1 minute ago, Strike said:

You don't know?  You sure like opining on things you're ignorant about.  Maybe sit one out?

You're not gonna tell me?

[MDC 8,209]

36 minutes ago, squistion said:

Mr. Kelly and his lawyers maintained last month that the senator was simply articulating a fundamental principle of military law. They noted that Mr. Hegseth had made similar statements in the past.

“If you’re doing something that is just completely unlawful and ruthless, then there is a consequence for that,” Mr. Hegseth said in a speech to the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley in 2016. “That’s why the military said it won’t follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief.”

Htpocrisy is the brand!  

[Tree of Knowledge 2,295]

Just now, Fnord said:

Thanks for the input. Are you suggesting Mr. Kelly and Mr. Arnold have other things in common as well?

Might be something for the military courts to decide.  

[Strike 6,109]

2 minutes ago, Tree of Knowledge said:

Benedict Arnold was also well decorated 

So was Tim McVeigh.  Guess we shouldn't have prosecuted him.

[Strike 6,109]

1 minute ago, Ron_Artest said:

You're not gonna tell me?

Do you know or don't you?

[supermike80 2,173]

1 minute ago, Fnord said:

I'm going to tag you to unpack this because you're just a misinformed Republican and not a MAGAmook.

Can you explain to me how focking with the pension of a US Rep, who is also a decorated veteran, is a good thing? 

Kelly made a video explaining the law and encouraged US military personnel to follow the law.

How exactly is this not A) a gross infringement on his 1A rights and b) selective political prosecution? You cannot tell me with honesty that this represents some kind of threat or crime.

 

He didn't need to participate in that dumb ass video and you know it.  Its TDS...Now listen, I know I say TDS a lot on here and maybe overuse it at times(except with TDS Ron) but that's what this is.  There was NO NEED for it and it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the command structure of the military.  Do not pretend it was anything else but that.  An ex military member should have never ever done that, ever.  And therefore, he will receive punishment by the military for it. 

There are  many many ways Kelly could have expressed his disagreements---but instead he took part in this video....and he did that because of TDS.  Its military man, they do things different there for a reason.    

He was wrong to do it.   And the military will take care of that.    He's not going to jail, this is being taken care of in the military.   Next time, shutup or disagree in a manner that does not attempt to undermine military discipline.

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

 

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

Just now, Strike said:

Do you know or don't you?

Of course I know, I wanted you to tell me but you refused.  Anyway enjoy my video above

[Gepetto 1,501]

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

Kelly and others have claimed that they were approached by several service members about this topic which is what led them to make this video.

Ironic that Kelly is being prosecuted for saying the same thing that they guy who is prosecuting him said.

As I said, they are evil people.

[supermike80 2,173]

8 minutes ago, Fnord said:

I'm going to tag you to unpack this because you're just a misinformed Republican and not a MAGAmook.

Can you explain to me how focking with the pension of a US Rep, who is also a decorated veteran, is a good thing? 

Kelly made a video explaining the law and encouraged US military personnel to follow the law.

How exactly is this not A) a gross infringement on his 1A rights and b) selective political prosecution? You cannot tell me with honesty that this represents some kind of threat or crime.

 

And what's a MAGAmook?   It's funny.  But what is it?

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

 

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

 

[supermike80 2,173]

11 minutes ago, MDC said:

Htpocrisy is the brand!  

For clarity.....cause you guys are dumb as sheet sometimes.

Here is Kelly's quote:

"this administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens"

Not even CLOSE to what Hegseth said.   Context matters.  This video should have never been made and it bothers me quite a bit that it ever was.  And it is 100% due to TDS.    This was a bullsh!t video.

 

https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948

 

Watch this focking video and tell me that is the same

[HellToupee 2,355]

PROCEEDINGS!!!!!!!

[edjr 7,094]

12 minutes ago, MDC said:

Htpocrisy is the brand!  

For both sides. Yes

[Fnord 2,688]

6 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

And what's a MAGAmook?   It's funny.  But what is it?

A MAGAmook is a dipshit that supports and votes for Donald Trump enthusiastically because they believe those standing against Trump are inherently evil, or at the very least wrong about everything. They do not question his motives, his actions, or the fallout afterward. Everything the Don does is platinum-plated genius in their eyes.

There's a bunch of them in the GC. I won't name names, as I actually like and respect some of them. But you know who they are. @Maximum Overkill is a good example. Cultist is another good, if overused way to describe them.

Whoops, I named a name. 

[MDC 8,209]

2 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

For clarity.....cause you guys are dumb as sheet sometimes.

Here is Kelly's quote:

"this administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens"

Not even CLOSE to what Hegseth said.   Context matters.  This video should have never been made and it bothers me quite a bit that it ever was.  And it is 100% due to TDS.    This was a bullsh!t video.

 

https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948

 

Watch this focking video and tell me that is the same

I wasn’t a fan of the video, but telling the NG to use maximum force and treat US cities as a training ground sure does seem like “pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens".

[MDC 8,209]

2 minutes ago, edjr said:

For both sides. Yes

This guy takes the cake though. 

[Fnord 2,688]

15 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

He didn't need to participate in that dumb ass video and you know it.  Its TDS...Now listen, I know I say TDS a lot on here and maybe overuse it at times(except with TDS Ron) but that's what this is.  There was NO NEED for it and it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the command structure of the military.  Do not pretend it was anything else but that.  An ex military member should have never ever done that, ever.  And therefore, he will receive punishment by the military for it. 

There are  many many ways Kelly could have expressed his disagreements---but instead he took part in this video....and he did that because of TDS.  Its military man, they do things different there for a reason.    

He was wrong to do it.   And the military will take care of that.    He's not going to jail, this is being taken care of in the military.   Next time, shutup or disagree in a manner that does not attempt to undermine military discipline.

TDS is a term that is well past its expiration. It's a lazy cover-all used to describe anyone that dares question the Don and allows those that will never question him to feel better about their psychopathy.

There WAS A NEED as Kelly reported service members had approached him with those exact concerns. For instance, Trump's orders to send the NG into LA, Chicago, and Portland were ultimately found to be ILLEGAL. Now I would not support a NG member that refused that deployment initially, since there was still a question as to the legality of the operations. But since the Don has already shown he's more than willing to ignore the law, it's pretty easy to envision him issuing illegal orders. 

[supermike80 2,173]

1 minute ago, Fnord said:

TDS is a term that is well past its expiration. It's a lazy cover-all used to describe anyone that dares question the Don and allows those that will never question him to feel better about their psychopathy.

There WAS A NEED as Kelly reported service members had approached him with those exact concerns. For instance, Trump's orders to send the NG into LA, Chicago, and Portland were ultimately found to be ILLEGAL. Now I would not support a NG member that refused that deployment initially, since there was still a question as to the legality of the operations. But since the Don has already shown he's more than willing to ignore the law, it's pretty easy to envision him issuing illegal orders. 

I absolutely would LOVE if TDS was past its expiration date, but it's not.  Not even close.    And that video was unnecessary.    You know it.  Admit it.  Could have been handled in a myriad of different ways, but he decided to pull this crap.   And he should be held accountable for it.

[Fnord 2,688]

Just now, supermike80 said:

I absolutely would LOVE if TDS was past its expiration date, but it's not.  Not even close.    And that video was unnecessary.    You know it.  Admit it.  Could have been handled in a myriad of different ways, but he decided to pull this crap.   And he should be held accountable for it.

Welp, agree to disagree. Again. But civilly. 

[Hardcore troubadour 16,173]

27 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Kelly and others have claimed that they were approached by several service members about this topic which is what led them to make this video.

Ironic that Kelly is being prosecuted for saying the same thing that they guy who is prosecuting him said.

As I said, they are evil people.

What topic? Explain. 

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

2 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

What topic? Explain. 

Being given illegal orders.  duh.

[Hardcore troubadour 16,173]

Just now, Ron_Artest said:

Being given illegal orders.  duh.

So Kelly was informed that service members were being given illegal orders? 

[Ron_Artest 2,678]

1 minute ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

So Kelly was informed that service members were being given illegal orders? 

Yes

[Hardcore troubadour 16,173]

Just now, Ron_Artest said:

Yes

Well then, he’s duty bound to report those illegal orders. Did he? 

[Strike 6,109]

1 minute ago, Ron_Artest said:

Yes

You know this how?