POLITICS

Hegseth issues censure, seeks to demote Sen. Kelly

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 9%

Center 82%

Right 9%

Sources: 11

60-Second Summary

Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he issued a formal letter of censure to Sen. Mark Kelly and started retirement-grade determination proceedings that could reduce Kelly’s retired rank and cut his pension. The action followed a Nov. 18 video in which Kelly and five other lawmakers urged service members to refuse unlawful orders. President Donald Trump later condemned the participants as seditious. The Pentagon placed the censure in Kelly’s permanent personnel file and gave him time to respond. Kelly said he will contest the proceedings and prepare a formal rebuttal. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

About this summary

This 60-second summary was prepared by the JQJO editorial team after reviewing 11 original reports from Daily News, HuffPost, WHAS 11 Louisville, PBS.org, WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic, Bangor Daily News, KTAR News, 2 News Nevada, CBS News, Stars and Stripes and FOX 5 DC.

Timeline of Events

Nov. 18, 2025 — Six lawmakers release a video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders.
Nov. 20, 2025 — President Donald Trump publicly condemns the video participants as seditious.
December 2025 — The Pentagon opens a command investigation and reviews Kelly’s conduct.
Jan. (this week) 2026 — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issues a formal letter of censure to Sen. Kelly.
After censure — Pentagon initiates retirement-grade determination proceedings and sets response deadlines.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 9

Who Benefited

The Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth benefited by demonstrating enforcement of military retirement and conduct procedures, reinforcing the department's authority to review retired ranks and retirement pay in response to alleged misconduct.

Who Impacted

Sen. Mark Kelly faced reputational harm and potential financial loss after a formal letter of censure and initiation of retirement-grade proceedings that could demote his retired rank and reduce his retirement pay.

Expert Opinion

After reading and researching latest news.... The Department of Defense initiated retirement-grade proceedings and issued a censure for Sen. Mark Kelly after a Nov. 18 video urging refusal of unlawful orders; the Pentagon gave Kelly time to respond, and the process could reduce his retired rank and pension.

Media Bias