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Pete Hegseth threatens court martialing Mark Kelly for 'illegal orders' video

Kelly’s participation in a video about refusing illegal orders led the Defense Department to review his conduct.

Pete Hegseth threatens court martialing Mark Kelly for 'illegal orders' video
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This article1 analysis · Oct 13, 2026
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Nov 24, 2025
tl;dr

The Defense Department has begun reviewing Sen. Mark Kelly’s conduct after he appeared in a video telling military personnel they can refuse illegal orders; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said possible outcomes include court-martial proceedings. Kelly said the announcement would not silence him.

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37 VOTES
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Mark Kelly D · AZ · SEN

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 31

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Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Arizona senator whose conduct is under Defense Department review after appearing in the video

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary who announced the review of Kelly’s conduct

Hegseth's version of this story ↗
Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator whose television interview was cited in Vance’s criticism

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who called the lawmakers traitors and suggested they be executed

J.D. Vance
Vice President of the United States

Vice president who accused the lawmakers of illegal actions

Part of a bigger story

29 OUTLETS
Pentagon Opens Review of Mark Kelly Over Military Video

Outlets on the left, center and right agree that the Pentagon opened a review of Sen. Mark Kelly after he appeared in a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon says the review could lead to recalling him to active duty for a court-martial. Left-leaning outlets cast the review and possible court-martial as intimidation or pressure on Kelly, with some noting potential political benefits to him. Center outlets mostly recount the inquiry and possible recall, while some focus on legal uncertainty and FBI interviews. Right-leaning outlets more often emphasize criticism of Kelly’s video and present possible discipline as accountability, though some use descriptive reporting.

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