Disciplinary recommendations for Mark Kelly sent to Navy over controversial video: report

The Navy has reportedly forwarded disciplinary recommendations to the Pentagon's top lawyers regarding Sen. Mark Kelly's (D-AZ) appearance in a controversial video that encouraged troops to reject unlawful commands, a Defense Department spokesperson told CNN on Thursday.

The recommendations await legal scrutiny from the Pentagon's Office of General Counsel, which will mull over how to proceed. Specifics on the Navy's suggestions weren't immediately known.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initiated the process last month, directing the Navy Secretary, Kelly's former service branch commander, to determine appropriate consequences for Kelly's video participation. Hegseth characterized the content as violations of military justice statutes in a Nov. 25 memo.

“I am referring this, and any other related matters, for your review, consideration and disposition as you see fit,” Hegseth said.

The video featured six Democratic lawmakers warning of constitutional threats and instructing military and intelligence personnel to "refuse illegal orders." The message was vague but came amid bipartisan concerns regarding the legality of the Pentagon's lethal military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, as well as domestic deployments of National Guard troops to major cities despite fierce opposition from governors.

The Trump administration has accused Democrats of essentially encouraging troops to ignore legitimate orders. President Donald Trump called the video "seditious behavior at the highest level."

Kelly is a pensioned former Navy captain and remains subject to military justice codes and restrictions on expression.