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

Hegseth ordered an investigation into Kelly and announced steps to reduce his retired rank and pension over the video.

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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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

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

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

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

Kelly'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

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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