Hegseth directs Navy to probe Mark Kelly for ‘potentially unlawful conduct,” report by Dec. 10

Hegseth's referral to the Navy is because Kelly served in the branch for 25 years and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm before he retired at the rank of captain. He was also a NASA astronaut until 2011.

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War Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the United States Navy on Tuesday to conduct a review of Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly's recent comments in a viral video that urged troops to defy "illegal orders."

Hegseth's referral to the Navy is because Kelly served in the branch for 25 years and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm before he retired at the rank of captain. He was also a NASA astronaut until 2011.

"The Department of War recently received information regarding potentially unlawful comments made by CAPT (Ret) Mark E. Kelly in a public video, on or about November 18, 2025," Hegseth wrote. "I am referring this, and any other related matters, for your review, consideration, and disposition as you deem appropriate."

The order is in response to the senator's appearance in a video on social media last week that also included Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado. All six lawmakers have either intelligence or military backgrounds.

The Trump official ordered Navy Secretary John Phelan to provide an update on his review by Dec. 10.

Hegseth also bashed "civilians" who attempted to downplay the seriousness of the video, which some Republicans have claimed went so far as being seditious.

"In the military, vague rhetoric and ambiguity undermines trust, creates hesitation in the chain of command, and erodes cohesion," Hegseth said in a different post on X. "The military already has clear procedures for handling unlawful orders. It does not need political actors injecting doubt into an already clear chain of command."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.