America News Agency

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the Arizona Democrat’s remarks on social media as “seditious statements” and claimed they were part of a “pattern of reckless behavior.”

He said the department has initiated procedures to downgrade Kelly from his retired rank as a Navy captain and to cut the corresponding pay. The senator has 30 days to appeal the decision.

The Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly last year after he and other congressional Democrats released a video reminding service members that they are not required to obey illegal orders. Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut, argued the probe was political retaliation by the Trump administration.

Hegseth had previously threatened to recall Kelly to active duty and subject him to a court-martial. While the Pentagon’s administrative action does not go that far, it marks an unusual attack on the military record of a high-profile politician.

Hegseth said, “Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting U.S. senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could lead to further action.”

Kelly vowed to fight the disciplinary action and to “send back the message that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump cannot decide what Americans can say about their government.”

In an online response, he argued that the Trump administration is using this action to silence critics.