What’s next in Hegseth's investigation into a Democratic senator
Secretary Hegseth could try to cut Kelly’s military retirement benefits.
On Thursday, the U.S. Navy completed its review into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly's comments in a Nov. 18 video urging troops not to follow unlawful orders.
This investigation was called for by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who accused Kelly and five other Democrats in the video of encouraging insubordination.
Hegseth, who calls the group the “Seditious Six,” says he is now looking at whether Kelly should face court martial or some kind of administrative action. Among the six Democrats, Kelly is the only former service member to reach active-duty retirement, which requires more than 20 years of service. A retired U.S. Navy captain who flew combat missions during Desert Storm, Kelly still receives benefits from the Defense Department, which Hegseth oversees.
Kelly, who also served as an astronaut for NASA, says he hasn’t been informed of any action against him.
There's no deadline for Hegseth to respond, if he opts to act at all. It’s also not clear what the Navy’s review of Kelly determined exactly. Officials are withholding details of the Navy’s report, citing privacy laws.
In a lengthy statement posted Nov. 24 to the department’s official X account, Hegseth accused Kelly of “serious allegations of misconduct” and threatened to recall Kelly to active duty to face charges. He cited a federal law that prohibits actions that interfere with the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”
While that Nov. 24 statement noted that “further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceeds,” Hegseth continued to address the matter on social media, accusing him of wearing his medals out of order in a photo.
“When/if you are recalled to active duty, it’ll start with a uniform inspection,” Hegseth posted on X on Nov. 25.
While Hegseth could recall Kelly to active duty to charge him in a military court, it's unlikely because of legal hurdles.
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