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Pete Hegseth cuts the pension and strips Senator Mark Kelly of his military rank, because he — a democrat— had the audacity to disagree with the Trump regime.

Freedom of speech, ladies and gentlemen.

Freedom of speech.

Pete Hegseth posting: Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly - and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice. Therefore, 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). 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. To ensure this action, the Secretary of War has also issued a formal Letter of Censure, which outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly's reckless misconduct. This Censure is a necessary process step, and will be placed in Captain Kelly's official and permanent military personnel file.
Pete Hegseth posting (continued): Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response. The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty five days. Captain Kelly's status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action. These actions are based on Captain Kelly's public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.
Mark Kelly responding: 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 l'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.
This entry was edited (1 day ago)
in reply to Randahl Fink

Ilka 🌐
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Ilka 🌐
• •

the most upsetting fact in this story is, those ppl have done nothing wrong, they reminded on the constitution and called for lawful behaviour. Why only Mark Kelly is picked on, is open for speculation.

The fact that Secretary of Ridiculousness Pete Kegseth is openly admitting lawful behaviour will be prosecuted & punished is showing the world what we are up to. We should build a front and stop them before WW3 breaks upon us.

in reply to Randahl Fink

Henrik Hemrin
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Henrik Hemrin
• •
I notice that Hegseth use Secretary of War in his profile while Kelly refers to him as Secretary of Defence.
in reply to Randahl Fink

decapitae
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decapitae
• •
T-E-R-R-O-R-I-S-T-S. This much is now apparent. The complicit individuals in congress are defying and toppling a once great democracy by doing nothing, having done nothing, and allowing 1 full year of this to continue. Beyond reasonable doubt. I want my nation back.
in reply to Randahl Fink

MidgePhoto
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MidgePhoto
• •
and more specifically, the rights and duties of the parliament members, which very importantly are outside any scope of the Administration, or the military.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Ray McCarthy
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Ray McCarthy
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In contrast, Hegseth has ordered criminal acts. As has RFK jr, Vance and Trump. Others too.
The entire top tier of Trump administration should tried, after closure of the Supreme Court of USA, which is now not fit for purpose.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Sweet Home Alaberta 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽
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Sweet Home Alaberta 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽
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A clear message has been sent to US military members, that maga does not have your back. I hope the members now act appropriately.
in reply to Randahl Fink

*|FNAME|*
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*|FNAME|*
• •
Reminder: ‘Department of War’ and ‘Secretary of War’ are stupid, made-up titles that have no basis in fact or legality.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Helgi Crookehorne
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Helgi Crookehorne
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are you surprised or something? See the state funded employees and students organized to vote for Yanukovosh at gunpoint, called adminresurs!
in reply to Randahl Fink

Helgi Crookehorne
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Helgi Crookehorne
• •
but did they violate the 1st, like is there a law from the Congress that infringed on that senator's right to confront the POTUS? No! He has his right. And sec. Hegseth has authority, to cut his pension, such law exists I guess.
in reply to Randahl Fink

xs4me2
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xs4me2
• •

Fascism is taking over…

Hegseth was removed form the National Guard because of his far right opinions…
It is why Trump hired him…

in reply to xs4me2

Toni Aittoniemi
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Toni Aittoniemi
• •

@xs4me2 It definitely is a far-right revolution that’s going on. Lockstep with Italy & Germany, even if it’s with a postmodern rhetorical twist of cynicism & irony.

Whether they will be successful now, or will they try again in 2032 remains to be seen.

@xs4me2
in reply to Toni Aittoniemi

xs4me2
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xs4me2
• •

@gimulnautti
Indeed, time will tell. History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes...

Much will depend on the 2026 turn of events in the USA... and of Trump's state of mind. He has little time left.

@Toni Aittoniemi
in reply to xs4me2

Toni Aittoniemi
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Toni Aittoniemi
• •
@xs4me2 Trump is just the leader. What matters is the right socioeconomic / cultural preconditions that can be used to drum up a large base of authoritarian support. That has been successful, and it is not going away soon unless it’s opposed by force. Speaking nicely will just take you for being weak.
@xs4me2
in reply to Toni Aittoniemi

xs4me2
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xs4me2
• •

@gimulnautti
I do wonder if it will collapse if the pied piper will be gone.

It is what one sees with authoritarian leaders… but not always.

His approval rate is around 40%. Will there indeed be momentum left if gone?
It will indeed take action to whipe this plague out

@Toni Aittoniemi
in reply to Toni Aittoniemi

xs4me2
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xs4me2
• •

@gimulnautti
Well, Hitler was 56 when he shot himself… after biting a cyanide capsule…

Might be we will not get that lucky.

If there will be victory for the good guys, we definitely will need a “Nuremberg” trial… as part of a de-Magafication…

@Toni Aittoniemi
in reply to xs4me2

Toni Aittoniemi
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Toni Aittoniemi
• •

@xs4me2 If some people haven’t been taking names, they certainly should start now.

Let’s see if this madness goes full force now, or if they wait until 2032 to make their final play.

It really all depends on the Americans now. Can they get off their comfort zone and not just wait for ”the elections to fix it”?

@xs4me2
in reply to Toni Aittoniemi

xs4me2
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xs4me2
• •

@gimulnautti
If Americans will not act, there will be no allies to save them in this retake resembling 20th century history… or will it be a confederate vs union scenario in worst case?

I still hope democracy will be resilient enough to cope and get rid of this cancer of the mind. Time will tell.

@Toni Aittoniemi
in reply to xs4me2

Jim
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Jim
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@xs4me2
Well he had the rape thing too which probably weighed well for him with Trumpolini
@xs4me2
in reply to Jim

xs4me2
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xs4me2
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@CaymanPilot
Hegseth is a drunk, and a wife beater, a man that never should be in that position. But he and Trump are birds of a feather... disgusting.
@Jim
in reply to Randahl Fink

Cav
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Cav
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this is just the start I believe. They'll come after more who disagree with Trump (like me) and speak out.

I wonder if he'll strip our disability money too? Time will tell

in reply to Truth Or Consequences ✅ 🇺🇦

Reject Fascism
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Reject Fascism
• •

@Savvyhomestead @cav These actions, documented on video, are meant to instill fear in all who dare speak up.

It doesn't matter if what *they* are doing is illegal or violates someone's 1st amendment rights. They don't care. Their goal is to make ppl so afraid of being arrested they won't say anything & it's working.

The fear is real & valid. People get arrested, lose their job or have to spend $ to hire an atty & get out of jail. That's what the regime is counting on. Fear Works.

@Truth Or Consequences ✅ 🇺🇦 @Cav
in reply to Randahl Fink

DaNk_MaNE#176
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DaNk_MaNE#176
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Major Pete finally getting the power trip he could never earn on his own.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Toni Aittoniemi
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Toni Aittoniemi
• •

I think it’s pretty clear that Hegseth demands loyalty to a man, not to a constitution.

The winds of history are blowing hard on this one!

This entry was edited (1 day ago)
in reply to Randahl Fink

Waidler
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Waidler
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My strong feeling tells me that, apart from the misery and inconvenience Mark Kelly now has to endure, he will win this case.
in reply to Waidler

Randahl Fink
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Randahl Fink
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@waidler I hope you are right. But this is like a SLAPP lawsuit — the trouble it causes the target is the point.
@Waidler
in reply to Randahl Fink

GJ Groothedde 🇪🇺
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GJ Groothedde 🇪🇺
• •
Willing to bet that they'll discover they chose the wrong guy to pick a fight with?
in reply to Randahl Fink

The Wookie
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The Wookie
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Hegseth is making Kelly the front runner for the next president of the United States.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Erika
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Erika
• •
Ugh... "the most unqualified Secretary of Defense". He definitely is prepared for battle.
in reply to Randahl Fink

tasket
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tasket
• •
Proof we're already in a dictatorship run by Trump loyalists.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Femme Malheureuse
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Femme Malheureuse
• •

Hegseth's move isn't just a violation of Kelly's First Amendment free speech rights as well as an effort to deter compliance with military code.

It's a violation of the Constitution's Article 1, Section 6 Speech or Debate clause which protects members of Congress while doing their work. This same clause protected Sen. Mike Gravel in 1971 when he read the Pentagon Papers into the record.

Screenshot, excerpt of U.S. Constitution's Article 1, Section 6, highlighting the Speech or Debate clause. Text: Section 6: Rights and Disabilities of Members 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. No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
in reply to Randahl Fink

Manda
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Manda
• •

Dear Senator Kelly,

Please wear this "official" rebuke as the greatest possible badge of honor from a dishonorable and illegitimate administration.

You are not one of them and we applaud you.

in reply to Randahl Fink

Jim
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Jim
• •
If only all of the US military would publicly proclaim their obligation to only follow legal orders
in reply to Randahl Fink

Jim
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Jim
• •
I have to wonder if the clown Hegseth is familiar with the UCMJ. It's pretty damn clear that service members are required to carry out legal orders and to refuse illegal orders. This administration is just a criminal act in progress
in reply to Randahl Fink

Jim
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Jim
• •
Too bad no one in the previous administration didn't have the balls to recall Bannon and Flynn then court martial them both
in reply to Randahl Fink

Bill Zaumen
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Bill Zaumen
• •
If Democrats get control of the House and Senate in this year's election, Pete, if not impeached, convicted, and forgotten, might find himself spending the following two years being grilled in various hearings. If that happens, he may wish he had taken a thankless job debugging AI-generated code.
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