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Pete Hegseth's Attacks on Mark Kelly's Service Are Un-American

Kelly says he will challenge Hegseth’s effort to demote his retired rank and cut his pension after a video about unlawful orders.

Pete Hegseth's Attacks on Mark Kelly's Service Are Un-American
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Outlet credibilityRolling Stone76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 11, 2026
tl;dr

Michael Embrich argues that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to demote Sen. Mark Kelly and cut his pension over a video about unlawful orders is an improper use of military authority. Kelly says he will challenge the move.

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22 VOTES
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Mark Kelly D · AZ · SEN

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 43

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Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator challenging the effort to demote his retired military rank and cut his pension

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense Secretary taking steps to demote Kelly’s retired rank and cut his pension

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

President whose administration is described as pursuing action against Kelly

Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who criticized Hegseth’s action against Kelly

ALSO MENTIONED  Gabby Giffords, Former congresswoman and Kelly’s wife

Part of a bigger story

40 OUTLETS
Hegseth Censures Mark Kelly and Seeks Potential Rank Reduction

Hegseth censured Kelly and began proceedings that could reduce his retired military rank and pay after Kelly joined a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders. Left-leaning outlets frame the possible rank and pay reductions as punishment for Kelly’s speech. Center outlets largely recount the censure and possible consequences alongside Kelly’s objections and legal questions. Right-leaning outlets more often present the action as accountability for Kelly’s call to refuse orders, though some report the dispute descriptively.

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