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Pete Hegseth trying to take away Mark Kelly pension

Hegseth says the military began proceedings that could reduce Kelly’s retired rank and pay.

Pete Hegseth trying to take away Mark Kelly pension
Image · Augusta Free Press

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Outlet credibilityAugusta Free Press61/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
tl;dr

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military had begun proceedings that could reduce Sen. Mark Kelly’s retired rank and pension after Kelly joined a video urging service members not to follow potentially illegal orders. Kelly called the action an attack on free speech and said he would fight it.

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24 VOTES
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Pete Hegseth R · Secretary of Defense

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 40

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SWIPE →
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense who initiated proceedings against Kelly

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator facing military retirement-grade proceedings

Kelly's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President referenced in connection with the administration and Kelly’s criticism

J.D. Vance
Vice President of the United States

Vice President who cast the tie-breaking vote on Hegseth’s confirmation

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president referenced as commander-in-chief in 2016

Part of a bigger story

38 OUTLETS
Hegseth Censures Sen. Mark Kelly Over Troop-Orders Video

Outlets report that Hegseth issued a censure to Sen. Mark Kelly and opened proceedings that could reduce his retired military rank or pay. The action followed Kelly’s participation in a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders. Left-leaning outlets largely cast the action as punishment for Kelly’s speech and a bid to silence him. Center outlets emphasize the censure and possible consequences while presenting Kelly’s response and, in some reports, legal or political questions. Right-leaning outlets, especially PJ Media, frame the proceedings as accountability for statements they portray as harmful to military discipline.

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