JUST IN: Hegseth Announces Punishment For ‘Seditious Six’ Senator

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is moving to formally discipline Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., ordering a review of the retired Navy captain’s rank and retirement pay and issuing a censure letter over what he called “seditious statements” that undermined military discipline.

Hegseth said he directed Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to examine Kelly’s retirement status and deliver a recommendation within 45 days, a step that could result in a downgrade of Kelly’s rank and a reduction in his pension, which is tied to rank.

“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 said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “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.”

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

Pete Hegseth said a censure letter will be issued outlining the “totality of Captain Kelly’s reckless misconduct.” Such letters are placed in a service member’s permanent personnel file and can be used to justify reductions in rank, pay or benefits, while serving as a warning that further violations could bring harsher consequences.

“This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file,” Hegseth said.

The department said Kelly’s position as a sitting U.S. senator “does not exempt him from accountability,” adding that additional violations could trigger further action. Kelly has 30 days to respond to the findings, Hegseth said.

The action stems from public statements Kelly made between June and December 2025, which the department said “characterized lawful military operations as illegal and encouraged members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders.”

Mark Kelly was among six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds who appeared in a video titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” telling service members: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”

The group included Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Reps. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Jason Crow of Colorado. While the lawmakers have pushed to limit President Donald Trump’s authority on certain deployments, that context was not included in the video, which framed the message as a broad warning for troops to “stand up for our laws” and refuse unlawful commands.

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