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.”
