US EditionHegseth wants briefing on review of Senator Kelly's conduct by Dec 10, memo says
War Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded a Navy review of Sen. Mark Kelly's video urging troops to refuse illegal orders, with a report due by Dec. 10, 2025.
- On November 25, 2025, War Secretary Pete Hegseth referred Senator Kelly's conduct to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, demanding a briefing by December 10, 2025, as posted by the Department of War on X.
- As critics noted, the Department of War received information that Kelly's video on or about November 18, 2025, urged troops to refuse illegal orders, prompting review. Hegseth wrote.
- Because Kelly is a retired captain, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Hegseth is weighing administrative penalties and court-martial despite separation-of-powers concerns from a coalition of former and retired military judge advocates.
- Pentagon officials said the review could lead to recall for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures, and the administration argued Kelly's remarks risked encouraging troops to disobey lawful orders while Hegseth condemned the video as undermining discipline.
- Legal analysts say this conflict may test longstanding boundaries between the executive and legislative branches and the Pentagon's apolitical role amid national scrutiny and debate.
52 Articles
52 Articles
Pete Hegseth is a no-show in Ukraine. That suits the White House just fine.
One key figure is missing from the pack of top national security officials crisscrossing the globe to achieve a Ukraine peace deal: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. But that sits fine with the White House, which is happy with his culture war attacks, made-for-TV images rallying the troops and online trolling of MAGA enemies. The Defense secretary has stayed silent on the surprising role of his subordinate, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who recentl…
Sen. Kelly Rips Hegseth as 'Totally Unqualified'
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., lashed out at War Secretary Pete Hegseth during a late-night TV appearance, calling him “totally unqualified” and dismissing the uproar over the “illegal orders” video he helped craft as “ridiculous.”
A Former Defense Secretary Says Pete Hegseth Isn’t So Tough
In an interview, the former defense secretary Leon Panetta says his successor Pete Hegseth looks weak for targeting critics such as Mark Kelly. ‘He’s really somebody who has become secretary of war against culture issues.’
Sen. Kelly says Pete Hegseth 'totally unqualified' after being bashed over display of medals
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — n an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him unqualified and saying he just wants to please President Donald Trump. The comments came after Hegseth asked the Navy secretary to review Kelly’s comments in a video to troops for “potentially unlawful conduct,” according to a memo posted on social media by the Pentagon.…
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