Pentagon cuts Sen. Mark Kelly's military retirement pay as punishment over 'illegal orders' video By Zachary Cohen 4 MI

[LiberalArkie]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Emile (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: CNN

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Monday that the Pentagon is taking administrative action to punish Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, by cutting his retirement pay for participating in a video where he and other Democratic lawmakers reminded US service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders.

Hegseth said in a post on X that the US military will reduce the amount of retirement pay Kelly receives and has issued a secretarial letter of censure, which would stand as a written reprimand but have no practical consequences for the Arizona Democrat.

“In response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret),” Hegseth posted on X. “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.”


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/politics/pentagon-cuts-mark-kellys-retirement-pay-punishment

[Turbineguy]

1. The "We can do anything you can't stop us from doing" clause.

[LiberalArkie]

3. Yes, because as spoiled children they never learned about rules. Were all our leaders the "Golden Child" growing up?

[NotHardly]

47. Sue their arses off

Whinny GD children in charge of US

[question everything]

2. Can any court stop it? Until it reaches the supreme, that is

[LiberalArkie]

5. What is this thing called "Court"?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

6. Any Federal court can halt this pending an appeal by Sen. Kelly,

it has to be a Fed. court, state courts have no jurisdiction.

[question everything]

7. Thanks. I also think that he has a pension as an astronaut, no?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

8. I'm not sure about that,

but I would think that any pension regarding his time with NASA is folded into his military pension.

[soldierant]

113. And since the amount of the pensin

is based on time served and highest rank successfully served, that should take cade of the time part. But the regime is attacking the rank.

[Irish_Dem]

12. If he was active duty while an astronaut it should be part of his Navy pension.

[24601]

117. CAPT Kelly was a military officer detailed to NASA. He was never a NASA employee in the civil service. This action is

absolute buillshit. A subsequent administration can not only reverse it, and, subject to Senate approval, could advance his retired rank to Admiral.

[COL Mustard]

22. The most deserved grade reduction I ever heard about

Was the retired Army 2-Star who had molested his daughter. The Army couldn't court-martial him because the statute of limitations had expired, but Virginia held him accountable and after he pleaded guilty, Secretary Austin reduced him from O-8 to O-1...all the way down to Second Lieutenant. And there's not a damn thing he could do about it.

In CAPT Kelly's case, this should be a slam dunk. Reminding people to follow the freaking law isn't (or shouldn't be) a crime.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

26. Plus, as a Senator, he has at least a couple layers of immunity.

I guess we’ll see what the federal courts say.

Speech or Debate Clause

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Which has been construed as protection outside “their house”

[jmowreader]

51. His name is James Grazioplene

I wouldn’t put it past King Donald and the Town Drunk to restore his rank since he got busted to butterbar while President Biden was in office.

[COL Mustard]

68. Yes, that's the one

I sat in a few meetings with him when he was a 2-star. He’s one of the most foul mouthed people I’ve ever met, and in the Army, that’s saying something. I was shocked when his daughter came forward. She’s very brave.

[jmowreader]

72. I never had the displeasure of dealing with him, probably because he was a tanker...

...but from looking at a lot of posts from people who had to, it sounds like he was like a command sergeant major I had to put up with for a year or so.

This particular CSM had served in the Field Station as a first sergeant, went off to another unit outside Berlin to work for a couple of years, got another Berlin assignment, served as our Support Battalion CSM until the Support Battalion commander got sick of his shit, then was transferred to my battalion because just being an asshole isn't justification for forced retirement. So we're sitting in the chow hall one day discussing the new CSM when one of my PFCs asked the question, "so, what is he like?" Someone who'd been in FSB long enough that this guy had been his first sergeant looked at the PFC and said the line that I will remember until the day I die...

"[name] is the worst prick to wear the uniform in the history of the Republic."

After the laughing ceased the good sergeant who said it explained this individual's barracks inspection process. "He'd sniff your bedsheets to see if you were having sex in the barracks."

It turned out to not be quite as bad as we thought it would be because on the day he was finally inflicted on us, our battalion commander (FANTASTIC guy!) called him into his office and informed him that if he didn't mellow the fuck out immediately he was going to have him transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana, which is not quite like being consigned to Hell but it's not far from it.

[COL Mustard]

82. When were you at FSB? A good friend of mine was there in the early 1970s.

I wasn't assigned to the Field Station at Gablingen, but the unit I was in had a detachment there, and I knew a lot of people who were assigned there. There were some very, very smart people there, but some of them were...quirky. I was in Augsburg in the early 1980s.

[jmowreader]

88. Veterans Day 1986 to April 1992

I was on CQ the night the Berlin Wall opened. I spent most of my comp day over by the Reichstag taking pictures of people walking on top of it.

[COL Mustard]

96. That would have been a fantastic time to be there!

I was watching on TV from suburban DC.

[bluestarone]

65. Wonder which court would take this lawsuit?

Would it be in Arizona, i wonder?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

69. Or, maybe you know, could it be:

Aileen Mercedes Cannon, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida Judge.

I've no doubt that Trumpedo and Kegsbreath have considered an appeal and are judge shopping, but I think they've grabbed a Tiger, (Capt./Sen. Mark Kelly) by the tail and don't, either how to let go or they're too fucking stupid to realize the shit storm they've now unleashed.

Sit back, grab the popcorn, and a refreshment of your choice: and enjoy the shit show that's happening even as we speak.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

110. It will go where's it's filed by. Most likely DC. No reason it shouldn't be DC

[rampartd]

97. didn;t this need a court martial or at least art 15?

[orangecrush]

102. Thank you

[dutch777]

4. Yeah, that will be a law suit the Pentagon won't win. Plus just looks petty which is the Trump admin to a tee.

[ScratchCat]

9. Once again...

IMPEACH AND REMOVE THESE MOFO'S......NOW!!!! Not tomorrow. Not next week. Right. Fucking. Now. This is 100% illegal and every Republican in the Senate knows it.

What in the ever loving fuck do these criminal have to do for Democrats to say NO MORE?!?

[vapor2]

35. 100%

I have never used fuck so much since last year. These lawless, cruel assholes need to go

[yellow dahlia]

71. Seriously!!!

I can't get through a sentence without saying fuck.

[Grins]

10. Kelly serves on the Armed Services Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence...

Good luck getting anything through him. And I think many other members of those committees who are going to look at this action for what it is: Political revenge.

[littlemissmartypants]

11. As the reputation of the US Military takes a hit. ...

While idiots use the nazi channel for official military business.

[Grins]

13. Show me the charging documents.

And I'll show you grounds for a lawsuit.

[marble falls]

41. How well versed are you on the UCMJ? Officers resign commision, they aren't discharged (honorably).

[Irish_Dem]

14. The military will start to turn against Trump.

You don't mess with their pensions.
They risked their lives for it.

[Safe as Milk]

45. So far, the military have been Diddling Donny's patsies.

They are complying with illegal orders daily. Diddling Donny has them by the balls. Like Congressional GOPers, they are worshipping fascism with the Diddler at the top. Expect nothing else.

[Irish_Dem]

58. I know, the military is up his ass now.

But when people start losing pensions, we shall see how they feel.

[yellow dahlia]

73. That would be great, if they did.

They understand an oath to the Constitution...and to country.

[Irish_Dem]

76. Right now they are up Trump's ass.

But Trump stealing their retirement might wake them the hell up.

[moonshinegnomie]

15. kellly should sue kegsbreath personally

for violation of rights under color of law.

[walkingman]

16. These nasty bastards will continue until the American voters stop them.

Never underestimate nasty white people.

[whathehell]

46. Yeah, well..

Though in definite agreement with your first paragraph, your second suggests a needed reminder that nasty black people are no walk in the park either..Just sayin'.

[Midnight Writer]

17. What about the other Senators who made the same statement? Were they not all military veterans?

Why are they singling out one person?

[chowder66]

19. The other lawmakers either never retired from service or come from intelligence agencies outside the UCMJ's reach

"The Video That Triggered the Review
The video featured six lawmakers with either military or intelligence backgrounds addressing U.S. service members. Kelly’s comments included the phrase that troops “can refuse illegal orders.” According to reporting from Politico, the Pentagon viewed the message as potentially harmful to “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline.” Although five other lawmakers appeared in the video, Kelly stands alone as the subject of the review because the Department of Defense determined he remains under UCMJ jurisdiction as a retired Navy captain. The other lawmakers either never retired from service or come from intelligence agencies outside the UCMJ’s reach. That distinction shapes the Pentagon’s current treatment of the matter."

more at link
https://www.military.com/feature/2025/11/25/civilian-office-military-obligations-what-kelly-investigation-reveals-senator-under-military-review.html

[Midnight Writer]

20. Thanks.

[chowder66]

24. I looked it up before I saw your post. Glad I could share what I learned.

I hope he sues. It's ridiculous since he did this as a civilian senator.

[Deuxcents]

21. That is my question, too.

[chowder66]

25. I posted an answer to the question above.

[malaise]

18. They will lose in court

Sue them Senator Kelly

[marble falls]

31. Suing the military is a tricky business. ...

https://puschnguyen.com/truth-can-you-sue-the-military-understanding-your-legal-options/

He may have a case because the damage done was outside of military service. The question is as a retired officer, is anything he does/had done to him outside his military service?

[ScratchCat]

48. The problem is this

Mark Kelly is a sitting U.S. Senator. Virtually anything he says as a U.S. Senator is protected political speech. The USMJ or whatever does not have jurisdiction over political speech as no government body does. This does not change simply because Senator Kelly is retired from the US armed forces. Whiskey Pete can't simply make un-factual proclamations and then claim Kelly violated some standard and then institute punishment. It simply wouldn't even withstand a hearing within the Navy. This shit is 100% designed to cause his problems when they know it wont result in anything. This is why Kelly needs to be the fist to call upon The House of Representatives to impeach and remove Hesgeth, Trump, Rubio, Patel and Bondi.

[marble falls]

55. One of the first things I signed when enlisting was a waiver to my access to the Bill of Rights. The very next ...

... document I signed put me under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (you know, the code originally devised by Napoleon Bonaparte). This code is written so that when the accused is arrested he is presumed guilty, he gets a chance to prove otherwise in a very well stacked system against him. This memory is the ONLY clear memory I have of being inducted. It strikes me still.

The difference is as discharged enlisted personnel, I am no longer under the UCMJ. Enlisted are discharged. Officer resign their commission (unless there are certain conditions like conduct unbecoming) and are technically still in the military as "inactive", and this alone does not exclude them from coming under the USMJ at some later point.

Whether he can sue or not is up for grabs, until an authority higher than the Pentagon can rule - like the SCOTUS.

Uniform Code of Military Justice is the ultimate oxymoron.

[LogDog75]

78. Two points in your post

1. I was enlisted for my entire 28-year military career and enlisting does not waiver your access to the Bill of Rights. You have the same protections under the Bill of Rights as you do in civilian life. You don't lose or have suspended any rights your civilian counterparts have. I've had this discussion when I was in the military and no one who disagreed with me was ever able to provide an example where they lost a right.

2. Enlisted members have a 30-year obligation meaning if they retire after 20 years they'll be in the inactive reserves for 10 years subject to recall. Officers, IIRC, can be brought back to active duty at any time. Both enlisted and officers can be recalled to active duty for any violations of the UCMJ that happened while they were on active duty.

In Senator Kelly's case, he is subject to recall to active duty if he violated the UCMJ. The question is Did he violate the UCMJ? IMO, he did not since he was acting in the capacity of his office as a United States Senator and has the protection of the Constitution from which the UCMJ derives it's authority. IOW, the Constitution trumps the UCMJ. Senator Kelly is well within his First Amendment Rights as well as his the right of his Constitutional office.

[marble falls]

81. I signed those in the Cleveland Federal Building on Feb 3, 1972. It was a shock when I got them. It still is with me. ..

... I stand by what I write.

The UCMJ and the Bill of Rights are antithetical to each other - especially in presumption of innocence and due process. They only allowed civilian legal representation in a courts marshal right before I enlisted, and their batting average past some influence on sentencing is not so good. Pretty darned hard to be protected by both at the same time.

[LogDog75]

105. I, too, stand by what I wrote

The UCMJ and the Bill of Rights are not antithetical. Military service can impose restrictions on one's actions but the military member is still held responsible for their action(s) if they violate regulations or the UCMJ. For example, a military member can take part in a public demonstration against the president if they are out of uniform and do not state or imply its the policy or position of the military.

I don't know when you enlisted but I enlisted in 1975 and it was made clear what type of actions we can take part in that won't violate military standards. As for a court martial, I've been on a court martial panel (jury) and found the process fair. BTW, we found, unanimously, the individual not guilty of the charges. During my career, a defendant could have a civilian represent them, at their expense, or have a lawyer from the Area Defense Council at no expense.

[madville]

92. Courts have recognized free speech rights are curtailed

There have been federal court cases around the subject of limitations to military member’s free speech rights, several of the cases occurred during Vietnam.

The courts have always upheld the military’s authority to limit or curtail members speech rights beyond those of civilians. For reference: United States v. Howe (1967) and Parker v. Levy (1974).

It’s incorrect to say members relinquish all their rights, a more accurate statement is that some constitutional rights are restricted for military members.

I did 21 years, I’ve seen firsthand members lose freedom, rank, pay and receive extra duty as punishment for speaking disparagingly about their command, mostly through NJP.

[LogDog75]

107. The military member is responsible for their actions

There are some limitations imposed upon military members but that doesn't prevent them from exercising their Constitutional Rights. Just as the famous ruling on freedom of speech where the Supreme Court said yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is not protected free speech. That doesn't prevent anyone from doing that, it just provides a basis for prosecuting them for doing it. The same goes for military members, if restrictions are placed upon them then violating those restrictions is punishable under the UCMJ. The military member didn't give up any of their rights doing that but they are legally accountable for their actions under the UCMJ.

You served 21 years and I served 28 years and we've both seen examples of troops being punished for a variety of offenses that in the civilian world would have resulted in firing or a write-up. In the military, disrespect is different because of its impact on the unit/base mission. The troops disrespecting command didn't lose their right to say it but when they enlisted they agreed to obey the rules and regulations of the military and that's what they're being punished for.

[babylonsister]

23. Kelly earned every penny of that, and his rank.

Besides, what did he say that was seditious? The truth?? These people are FUBARed.

[SunSeeker]

44. He was literally just restating the military code! nt

[marble falls]

27. This will not stand. Hogsbreath is turning the Pentagon into a chicken shit outfit. ...

?si=_Q8ffq_6x6sMaOw-

[SheltieLover]

28. Will Flynn be next?

Asking for a friend...

[Historic NY]

60. and his active dip shit brother

[SheltieLover]

61. Oh yes. I'd forgotten about him

I doubt if this is legal, but it will be a hassle for Kelly.

[Dave Bowman]

29. Give me a fucking break, that's absolute nonsense. 🤬

[marble falls]

38. Childish nonsense at that!

[Joinfortmill]

30. What bullshit. TickTock, HogsBreath.

[3catwoman3]

32. This is such bullshit.

Kegsbreath is a punk.

[odins folly]

33. What a punk

Sedition is overt conduct, such as speech or organization, that tends toward rebellion against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent toward, or insurrection against, established authority

Fucking little cry babies, what that fuckstick flynn did during Binden years WAS ACTUAL SEDITION but he skated because of the first amendment. I would love to see the next Dem President strip him of everything.

[LogDog75]

108. You mean like the January 6, 2020 Insurrection?

[odins folly]

109. Correct

But apparently these charges only apply if you are a Democrat. If you are a republican you get a pass.

Fuck these people….

[vapor2]

34. Sue the crap out of hegsbreath

[marble falls]

36. I first read that as: "Slap the crap out of hogsbreath". As a dyslexic, I'm up for either!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

37. Hegseth says Sen. Mark Kelly will receive administrative punishment for video about lawful orders

Senator Kelly should sue Hegseth. Senator Kelly was repeating black letter law and will be able to use Hegseth's own words against him

Link to tweet

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hegseth-sen-mark-kelly-receive-administrative-punishment-video/story?id=128911622

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X, said the Pentagon will hold Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly accountable under the military code of justice for "conduct [that] was seditious in nature," referring to a video Kelly participated in that told United States service members they have a right to refuse unlawful orders.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

[Bev54]

39. Just because he says he is going to do it doesn't mean he can or will. I am pretty

sure Kelly will not take this lying down, he will fight back for himself and all others this admin think they can just steam roll over.

[hamsterjill]

40. So, we have a decorated, retired Navy captain AND former astronaut losing his retirement pay?

Looks real good for military service, doesn't it?

Assholes!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

49. And combat veteran at that.

There is no doubt that this is fueled by Trumpedo with Kegsbreath gleefully carrying out this political retribution.
Can't hardly wait for the first Fed. court to hear this, I'm pretty confident that Trumpedo and Kegsbreath are in for a very rude awakening.

[littlemissmartypants]

70. I'm sure it'll help recruiters bunches.

[Traildogbob]

86. Recruit??

Mandatory draft, except for the Barons of the ones sending troops to die for their fortunes.
No “Fortunate Son’s” gonna step a boot near danger, or even ever put in a boot.

[littlemissmartypants]

89. Don't they still have recruiters?

[Traildogbob]

90. They do

But volunteers are going to ICE, huge pay, $60,000 bonus, cool guns and uniforms and guaranteed to not be shot at. Kristy and Hagueseth will kill any one that tries to. With better care than troops, and much better pay. Hang anti ICE from a bridge like the cartel do to discourage speaking out.

[Codifer]

93. I think I remember

hearing of a huge expenditure for ice recruitment. They will concentrate on NASCAR races, tractor pulls, UFC cage fighting events and biker gang hangouts.

I would add dive bars and psyche wards and prisons.

Only the best.

[Traildogbob]

94. College football was plastered with

Come be an ICE hero. No shooting back, but all the guns and gear you need to play soldier. With Pay “The likes of which the country has never seen”, for soldiers that die for us.

[littlemissmartypants]

111. Roger that, Tdb! Thanks ❤️

[Traildogbob]

112. 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[AverageOldGuy]

42. Memo to Pete Hogsbreath

Go fuck yourself.

Retired US Army, Vietnam vet, spent more time in combat than you have passed out drunk in a whorehouse

[MarineCombatEngineer]

50. Ret. USMC here,

I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Semper Fi Army.

[democrank]

43. FIGHT BACK AGAINST THESE TRUMP CRIMINALS!

Yes, you’re right….all caps!

[MarcoZandrini]

83. Turn you angst into.....

…..action! Don’t bitch, act.

[democrank]

100. Thanks for the tip, MarcoZandrini.

I’ve been an active Democrat for about 6 decades. I’ve volunteered a zillion times, licked envelopes, posted signs, provided rides to meet ups. I’ve marched, protested, joined groups, signed petitions, sent voting reminder postcards, met with representatives, written letters to the Editor, sent emails, made phone calls.

Once in a great while something catches my attention that is so important, I respond in all caps. It rarely happens, but did today. I know a little bit about what some veterans go through during and after serving their country. They will ALWAYS have my support.

[FredGarvin]

52. I feel bad for him and his family

Another victim of Trump and the GOP

[marble falls]

57. At least no limit to what and how they've tried to subvert.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

54. Statement from Senator Kellly

Link to tweet

Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution – including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out. I never expected that the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense would attack me for doing exactly that.

My rank and retirement are things that I earned through my service and sacrifice for this country. I got shot at. I missed holidays and birthdays. I commanded a space shuttle mission while my wife Gabby recovered from a gunshot wound to the head– all while proudly wearing the American flag on my shoulder. Generations of servicemembers have made these same patriotic sacrifices for this country, earning the respect, appreciation, and rank they deserve.

Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that.

If Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history, thinks he can intimidate me with a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me, he still doesn’t get it. I will fight this with everything I’ve got — not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.

[sinkingfeeling]

56. Well, since there is no such thing as the Department of War, it has little lasting effect.

[Mister Ed]

59. Punishment for telling servicemembers that they should always make sure to follow the law.

It's actually come to that, hasn't it?

[NBachers]

62. Kegsbreath isn't qualified to hand-wash Kelly's jockstrap.

[samsingh]

63. and yet we did nothing to the traitorous general when we were in power

the one advocating for overthrow of the Biden government.

[jfz9580m]

64. What an asshole.nt

[Pluvious]

66. If this does go to court...

Hogshead's own words could be used to defend Kelly:

Link to tweet

[Martin Eden]

67. It's "seditious" and "reckless conduct" to reaffirm the US Code of Military Justice??

Who knew?

[FakeNoose]

84. It isn't seditious or reckless, that's why Mark Kelly should fight this in court ... he'll win for sure

I hope he has plans to do exactly that.

It's not that Senator Kelly doesn't have other resources, his salary and benefits as a US Senator are substantial and they will continue no matter what. It's the smirky "gotcha" slap in the face by Hogsbreath that is so maddening, and the fact that he has no legal standing for doing this. Not one iota.

Sen. Kelly should take him to court, and he'll surely win the case.

[Martin Eden]

104. It would be a military court

Of course Senator Kelly would easily win the case on merit. However, Kegsbreath fired all the top JAG's. The question is whether the case would be decided on merit or be preordained by officers loyal to the regime rather than their sworn duty.

And, of course, this is a matter of principle. Trump and Hegseth want to punish Mark Kelly any way they can. He is secure financially, but that's not the point. His military career would be officially tarnished.

More importantly, the power to unjustly punish for brazenly political vindictive motives would be reinforced if the punishment was upheld by a military or any other court.

[B.See]

74. "Department of WAR" - courtesy of

the MAGA "chosen one" - their "prince of peace."

the would be Nobel Peace Prize winner

Not Department of Defence... WAR. But under Trump, apropos, I think.

[Norrrm]

77. Flag officers and other high-ranking officers and civilians must be very disappointed to have to toe the line to this mi

Flag officers and other high-ranking officers and civilians must be very disappointed to have to toe the line to this minor major Hegseth.

[Faux pas]

79. D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G

[LogDog75]

80. I think Senator Kelly will win this battle

The question I have is Was there any due process giving Senator Kelly a chance to present evidence to to challenge Hegseth's actions? Under the UCMJ, any person facing an Article 15 or Courts Martial has the right to a public hearing, right to counsel, the right to present evidence, the right to challenge the charges, the right to question their accusers or witnesses, etc... None of these have happened.

[Buddyzbuddy]

85. Another item for the list of things to to when the Democrats are in charge again.

We're going to need very serious, tireless people focused on getting all of the changes done. That includes a very strong V.P. that is given the power and trust needed to help right this ship. No figurehead allowed. If a legislator in either body has proven incapable of getting the job done, replace him or her.

Say what you will about the Felon, he got "his" Generals, "his" Justice Dept. and "his" judges. Checks and balances has failed. All that is left are a few righteous judges.

[IbogaProject]

87. OK Pete we will remember that is an option for once you are out of your position

I don't like it but fair is fair if you think this is a good tactic for hiring and retaining the best of the best.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

91. When Senator Kelly sues, he will have fun using these statements from Hegseth and Bondi

If the administration intends to investigate Democratic veterans in Congress, it should prepare equal treatment for members of the White House Cabinet.

In prior remarks, Hegseth and Bondi also said troops must disobey illegal orders - MS NOW

apple.news/AtPlYxgM_Q1S...

— (@oc88.bsky.social) 2025-12-09T17:49:00.527Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/in-prior-remarks-hegseth-and-bondi-also-said-troops-must-disobey-illegal-orders

CNN reported last week, for example, that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who’s helped advance the partisan offensive against the Democratic veterans, delivered remarks in 2016 explaining that U.S. military personnel “won’t follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief” and described the refusal of illegal commands as a part of the military’s ethos and standards.

CNN also found that, as Election Day 2016 drew closer, the former Fox News host told viewers that service members are “not going to follow illegal orders.”

That is to say, eight years ago, the future Pentagon chief delivered the same message he and Trump are now condemning.

Evidently, Hegseth is not alone. The New York Times reported:

Pam Bondi, the attorney general, said the same thing as the [Democratic] lawmakers last year in a friend-of-the-court brief in the Supreme Court as a lawyer for the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank that represented three former military leaders.

In the legal brief, which is available online through the high court’s website, Bondi wrote, “Military officers are required not to carry out unlawful orders.” The Florida Republican added, “The military would not carry out a patently unlawful order from the president to kill nonmilitary targets. Indeed, service members are required not to do so.”

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Trump administration won’t launch sedition investigations into the incumbent president’s defense secretary and attorney general, but if officials continue to pursue Democratic veterans in Congress, they should probably prepare an answer to a straightforward question: “Why aren’t you also pursuing cases against the president’s defense secretary and attorney general?”

[GiqueCee]

95. Hogsbreath sucks...

... Has this asshole ever even read the Uniform Code of Military Justice? KELLY DID NOTHING WRONG! He quoted the UCMJ on an issue that should be foremost in everyone’s minds right now. Trump and his syphilitic rats have run roughshod over the Constitution and the rule of law, and Republican filth just let him do it.
This not going to end well.

[LymphocyteLover]

98. I prefer Kegsbreath, but otherwise, yeah.... sickening

[Evolve Dammit]

99. This just sucks. Talk about "weaponization of government". I thought DOD might be above that. I was wrong.

[orangecrush]

101. FUCK YOU DRUNKEN ASSHOLE

[thought crime]

103. Almost seems like Russia has taken over our government

[mdbl]

106. Sounds like a lawsuit to me.

Mark Kelly didn't make seditious statements. Sue that jackass Kegsbreath for defamation and to reinstate his pension. Kegsbreath doesn't deserve to be in his position where he is making a mockery of our armed forces.

[rickford66]

114. The Senators and Representaives ahould read the UCMJ text into the Congressional Record.

[OhioTim]

115. If There Is An Actual Letter

sent to Kelly, I'd like to see him burn it in public.

[Emile]

116. Title of OP is not the same as the actual title of the article posted at the CNN website.

Last edited Tue Jan 6, 2026, 08:15 AM - Edit history (1)

After an alert and discussion with the other hosts, locking.