‘Reckless misconduct’: Pete Hegseth takes action against U.S. senator urging military to ‘refuse illegal orders’
Only a few weeks ago, Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, and several other members of Congress assembled a video stunt that told active members of the U.S. military not to obey “illegal orders.”
Coming at a time when President Donald Trump was active in international issues, addressing illegal immigration, fighting crime and much more, the implication was unmistakable. Yet they were unable to identify any such “illegal” orders.
Investigations were launched immediately, as the comments were seen by many as undermining America’s military chain of command under Commander-in-Chief Trump.
Now the consequences are appearing.
First, their wild claims:
While we’re talking about holding people accountable for their actions, let’s not forget the “Seditious Six.”
– Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)
– Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.)
– Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.)
– Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.)
– Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.)
– Rep.… pic.twitter.com/oO3dSpIu2t
— Catherine (@cat_barnes30) December 22, 2025
And now the status of their cases, according to a statement from War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“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. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice,” Hegseth said.
“And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice. Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret).”
He said, “The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay. To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct. This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly’s official and permanent military personnel file.”
Hegseth explained the procedures: “Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response. The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty five days. Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action. These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.”
Joining Kelly in the video stunt were Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Reps. Chris Deluzio, Pennsylvania, Chrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander, New Hampshire, and Jason Crow, Colorado.
All six boast about their records in the military or intelligencer communities on the video.
WorldNetDaily previously reported when the Department of War escalated its investigation of Kelly.
Meanwhile, Kelly, through his lawyer, is threatening the federal government for investigating him.
The six now have been labeled the “Seditious Six” by the Trump administration for their comments and Trump suggested their comments, obviously intended to influence the ranks and cast doubt on the commander-in-chief, amounted to treason.
BREAKING NEWS: The Department of War investigation of Senator Mark Kelly is “escalating” to a “full command” investigation per a DOW official.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 15, 2025
Pentagon escalates review into Sen. Mark Kelly over “illegal orders” video https://t.co/p3Kk15Uk8d
— The Hill (@thehill) December 16, 2025
Tonight, we learned the Pentagon is escalating its review of me into “an official command investigation.”
If Donald Trump or Pete Hegseth think they can stop me from doing my job and serving the American people, they’ve got the wrong guy. pic.twitter.com/wjKVr37vby
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) December 16, 2025
Reports explain the video has been viewed “as a wink-and-nod call for insubordination.”
While Kelly is subject to recall by the military, so the Pentagon is investigating him, the FBI is looking into the comments made by the others.
Slotkin’s newest claims:
Elissa Slotkin claims Democrats made the ‘illegal orders’ video because a slew of military personnel were coming to them with concerns for months:
“I don’t know if this is legal. I don’t know if I’d be held accountable later after this administration. I can’t get a straight… pic.twitter.com/Fe2AMPvMRg
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) December 8, 2025
The despicable video urging @DeptofWar troops to “refuse illegal orders” may seem harmless to civilians — but it carries a different weight inside the military.
This was a politically-motivated influence operation:
It never named a specific “illegal order.”
It created…— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 25, 2025
OFFICIAL STATEMENT:
The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.). In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations…
— Department of War (@DeptofWar) November 24, 2025
U.S. Department of War escalates investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘misconduct’