Mark Kelly is a senator in Arizona.Image: keystone
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly is to be demoted because he sharply criticized the Trump administration’s policies. The deserving soldier and astronaut defends himself.
Jan 6, 2026, 5:48 amJan 6, 2026, 5:48 am
Following his criticism of US military operations, retired naval officer and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly has been initiated into proceedings to review his retirement rank. The reason was Kelly’s public statements in recent months in which he criticized operations and called on soldiers to disobey orders, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on social media.
The background is a video published by six Democratic members of Congress in which members of the US military are called on not to follow what they consider to be illegal orders in connection with internationally controversial US military operations against suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean. According to the US government, more than 100 people have been killed in these operations since September. Kelly is said to have been involved in the video. He had called for an investigation into the operations and publicly criticized Hegseth.
US President Donald Trump initially accused the group of “insurrectionary behavior” and later qualified these statements.
Senator announces decisive resistance
According to Hegseth, the Defense Department is now considering a reduction in Kelly’s retirement rank, which would result in a corresponding reduction in his pension benefits. In addition, a formal reprimand was issued and should be permanently recorded in Kelly’s military personnel file. Kelly has been informed of the allegations and has 30 days to comment.
Former Fox presenter Pete Hegseth is now Defense Minister.Image: keystone
Kelly denied the allegations. In a post on social media, the senator spoke of a “politically motivated attack” and emphasized that he had never called for disobeying lawful orders. His aim was to remind soldiers of their duty to comply with international law. Criticism of military operations and the leadership of the Defense Department is covered by the constitution, Kelly wrote. He announced that he would defend himself against allegations that the “most unqualified defense minister in the history of our country” could not intimidate him.
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