The department said in November that it was investigating the Democratic senator over his participation in a video he and other lawmakers recorded.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is taking steps to reduce the military retirement rank of Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.CQ Roll Call via Getty; Sipa via AP

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the Pentagon is taking steps to downgrade Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly`s military retirement rank and pay because of the lawmaker`s "seditious statements."

Hegseth said in a statement that Kelly, a retired Navy captain, was part of the group of Congress members who six weeks ago "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," Hegseth said in the statement posted on X.

The defense secretary said that in response to Kelly`s "seditious statements - and his pattern of reckless misconduct," the department is taking administrative action against the senator.

"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," Hegseth said.

The defense secretary added that he also issued a formal letter of censure, which outlines 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," he said.

Kelly has 30 days to submit a response, and the process to downgrade his retirement ranka will be completed within 45 days, Hegseth said.

"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," Hegseth said. "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."

Kelly`s office didn`t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hegseth`s announcement comes after the Defense Department said in November that it was launching an investigation into Kelly because of a video he and other Democratic lawmakers recorded urging members of the military and intelligence community not to follow illegal orders from the Trump administration.

The other lawmakers who appeared in the video message also served in the military or the intelligence community. They included Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan; and Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania. No action has been taken against them.