Tensions rise between Senator Mark Kelly and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

Senator Mark Kelly (D) responded to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s comments after he claimed Senator Kelly’s video reminding military personnel that they are obligated to refuse illegal orders was considered “seditious acts.”

Senator Kelly also addressed the threats to his rank and pension.

This past November, Senator Kelly created a video intended for military personnel, emphasizing that they should not follow illegal orders.

“Donald Trump didn’t like it, said we should be hanged, executed,” Senator Kelly said.

Senator Kelly had received a letter from Secretary Hegseth that reportedly censures him and threatens to reduce his rank after he served about 25 years in the United States Navy.

“Flying 39 combat missions, 4 times in space, decades in service,” Senator Kelly said, “…threatening to reduce my rank…because of something I said…something by the way that Secretary Hegseth had said…so this is the height of hypocrisy.”

The letter reportedly also states that there were issues with other actions Senator Kelly had taken in the past.

“They want to make it perfectly clear that I am not allowed to say what I think,” Senator Kelly said, “…and that’s dangerous.”

Senator Kelly emphasized that Secretary Hegseth’s sending that letter to him is an erosion of every U.S. citizen’s First Amendment rights.

“The point is that they’re trying to shut me up, and that’s not gonna happen,” Senator Kelly said, “…whether I win or lose this, that’s not the consequential thing, the consequential thing is do Americans still speak out against this government. I view that not just a right but a responsibility…we are gonna fight this with everything we have, because I’m in the right here.”