Additional Coverage:
- Pete Hegseth’s military experience under scrutiny after going after Mark Kelly’s medal order (irishstar.com)
Defense Secretary Scrutinizes Senator Kelly’s Medals Amidst “Sedition” Claims
Washington D.C. – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ignited a fresh wave of controversy, launching an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly, a former fighter pilot, astronaut, and Navy captain, over the arrangement of medals on his uniform. This scrutiny follows a video posted by Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers, reminding U.S. troops of their right to refuse illegal orders.
The video, which urged service members to “stand up for our laws… our Constitution,” has been labeled an act of “sedition” by Hegseth, echoing President Donald Trump’s strong condemnation. While Trump previously suggested such acts were “punishable by DEATH,” Hegseth focused his criticism on Kelly’s uniform, remarking on X (formerly Twitter) that his medals were “out of order & rows reversed.”
“So ‘Captain’ Kelly, not only did your sedition video intentionally undercut good order & discipline…but you can’t even display your uniform correctly,” Hegseth wrote in his post. “When/if you are recalled to active duty, it’ll start with a uniform inspection.”
This marks the second investigation tied to the video, with the FBI reportedly contacting the six Democratic lawmakers to schedule interviews, signaling a potential inquiry into the matter. The Pentagon’s review of Kelly under Hegseth focuses on potential violations of military law.
The lawmakers in the video, all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community, emphasized that troops have a duty to reject unlawful orders. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former intelligence analyst who also appeared in the video, stated that the message stemmed from numerous service members expressing concerns about being asked to perform actions they questioned.
These inquiries represent a significant escalation for federal law enforcement and military institutions, which typically avoid partisan disputes. Critics suggest they underscore the administration’s willingness to push legal boundaries against its detractors, even those serving in Congress.
Hegseth’s appointment as Defense Secretary during Trump’s second term faced considerable opposition, including from Senator Kelly himself. In a January opinion piece for Military Times, Kelly and Senator Tammy Duckworth questioned Hegseth’s experience and judgment, citing concerns about his lack of command experience and alleged past financial mismanagement of veterans’ organizations. They also highlighted concerns about his conduct as a Fox News host, including allegations of excessive alcohol consumption and fostering an environment where sexual harassment was an issue.
This investigation into Kelly is perceived by some as a continuation of Hegseth’s alleged pattern of using his department to target individuals he believes have personally slighted him. Previous accusations against Hegseth include endangering national security procedures by involving his wife in departmental matters and attempting to impede reporters critical of him.
Hegseth has consistently shown a strong focus on the outward appearance and branding within his department. He previously ordered the installation of a makeup studio in the Pentagon, dictated acceptable nail polish colors for Army soldiers, and sought to rename military vessels and even the Department of Defense itself to align with his vision of restoring a “warrior ethos.”
In response to the president’s threats and the ongoing investigations, Senator Kelly has stated he will not be intimidated. “If this is meant to intimidate other members of Congress and me from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work,” Kelly wrote on X. “I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.”