They were dubbed the “Seditious Six”—a half dozen lawmakers, all with prior service in the intelligence community and/or the military, who released a video on November 18 urging active-duty troops to refuse orders they personally deemed unlawful. To many observers, it looked like exactly what it was: a thinly veiled invitation to rebellion within the ranks.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was clearly having none of it. On Monday, he dropped the hammer in a blunt social-media post, calling the video exactly what it was: “seditious” while singling out Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired US Navy captain, who just found out after he effed around:
Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.
Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret). The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.
To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines 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.
Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response. The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty five days.
Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.
These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.
Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) January 5, 2026
They’re called consequences, Senator. Remember this garbage—the stunt that crossed a bright line and invited chaos? It wasn’t a one-off, and it wasn’t harmless.
The video featured Sen. Mark Kelly, along with Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), and Jason Crow (CO-6):
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
As we’ve seen lately—with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, and others—it appears to be a season of actions meeting consequences. Call it, politely, “fooling around and finding out.”
For his part, the senator still doesn’t get it. Yes, his service to the nation should be acknowledged and respected—but that doesn’t grant him immunity from criticism when he crosses a line. Statements like the one he just issued make it clear he’s lost the plot:
Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution – including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out. I never expected that the President of the…
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 5, 2026
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.
No—undermining the troops and the chain of command is not acceptable. Full stop. And an honorable past record, while worthy of respect, does not excuse reckless conduct in the present or erase the consequences of dangerous rhetoric.
You should know better.
