Hegseth backs off court-martial threat, moves to slash Mark Kelly’s retirement pay

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed away from his threat to court-martial Sen. Mark Kelly, opting instead to pursue a reduction in the retired Navy captain’s rank and pay after labeling Kelly’s remarks about refusing illegal orders as “seditious.” The move followed a video in which Kelly and other Democrats said troops are not obligated to follow unlawful commands, comments that came as the Trump administration reportedly began striking alleged drug boats near Venezuela. In a sharp statement, Hegseth announced administrative action and a formal letter of censure, stopping short of criminal charges while still targeting Kelly’s military retirement.

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