In a post on X, Hegseth lied that Kelly and other Democrats had “released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline.”
“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,” Hegseth said, adding that a “Letter of Censure” would be placed in Kelly’s official military file.
This political retaliation is in response to a video Kelly made alongside other Democratic lawmakers who served in the nation’s military and intelligence agencies. The video reminded troops that under the oath they swore before joining the armed forces, they must disobey illegal orders—a bedrock component of the nation’s military.
After the video was released, President Donald Trump described it as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” He also wrote, “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”
At the time the video came out, Trump and his team faced criticism for a series of extrajudicial killings they carried out in the Caribbean Sea. Since then, the administration has violated Venezuela’s sovereignty—without congressional authorization—and abducted that nation’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
The Democratic lawmakers in the video have rejected Trump’s attempt to silence them, promising to continue advocating for the military to stay within American law and tradition.
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