Sen. Mark Kelly is looking out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after dealing with threats of demotion in his navy rank. Kelly fired again after Hegseth mentioned he’s aiming to demote the senator for encouraging navy members to disobey the Trump administration.
What did Mark Kelly say after Pete Hegseth threatened to demote him?
In his put up on X, Kelly mentioned there’s nothing extra un-American than Hegseth unjustly threatening to demote him from his navy rank.
“If Pete Hegseth, essentially the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our nation’s historical past, thinks he can intimidate me with a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me, he nonetheless doesn’t get it,” Kelly wrote on X. “I’ll combat this with every thing I’ve acquired — not for myself, however to ship a message again that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to resolve what Americans on this nation get to say about their authorities.”
Over twenty-five years within the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine fight missions, and 4 missions to house, I risked my life for this nation and to defend our Constitution – together with the First Amendment rights of each American to talk out. I by no means anticipated that the President of the…
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 5, 2026
As The Hill reported, Kelly first spoke up towards the Trump administration in November when he joined 5 different democrats to remind navy members that they’ve the appropriate to refuse unlawful orders. As he’s now being threatened with penalties for his stance, Kelly reminded the administration about his embellished resume and mentioned he’s being unjustly focused.
“Over twenty-five years within the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine fight missions, and 4 missions to house, I risked my life for this nation and to defend our Constitution – together with the First Amendment rights of each American to talk out,” Kelly wrote. “I by no means anticipated that the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense would assault me for doing precisely that.”
“My rank and retirement are issues that I earned by means of my service and sacrifice for this nation. I acquired shot at. I missed holidays and birthdays. I commanded an area shuttle mission whereas my spouse Gabby recovered from a gunshot wound to the pinnacle — all whereas proudly carrying the American flag on my shoulder,” he added.
What did Pete Hegseth say in his assertion towards Mark Kelly?
According to NPR, Hegseth mentioned he’s launched a 45-day course of in an effort to demote Kelly and cut back his retirement pay. Hegseth introduced accusations of sedition towards the senator for telling navy members they’ll refuse orders.
“In response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his sample of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative motion towards Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret),” Hegseth mentioned in an announcement, NPR reported.