by Staff Reporter | Jan 7, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Department of War will be punishing Senator Mark Kelly for making seditious statements.
The department took administrative action against Kelly in the form of retirement grade determination proceedings, which included a reduction in Kelly’s retired pay.
An accompanying formal letter of censure from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed Kelly’s claims that he was merely reminding service members of their duty to not carry out orders that break the law.
“This pattern demonstrates that you [Kelly] were not providing abstract legal education about the duty to refuse patently illegal orders,” said Hegseth. “You were specifically counseling servicemembers to refuse particular operations that you have characterized as illegal.”
Kelly and five other members of Congress, all fellow Democrats, published a joint video statement telling servicemembers to refuse orders issued by President Donald Trump. The group didn’t elaborate on which orders they thought to be illegal or unconstitutional.
“We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe. We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk,” stated Kelly and his coalition. “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.”
In a public statement announcing the proceedings against Kelly, Hegseth said Kelly’s speech was “reckless and seditious,” and qualified for “military justice.”
Hegseth warned Kelly that his position as an elected official doesn’t put him beyond the reach of penalization.
“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” said Hegseth.
In a lengthy response statement, Kelly vowed to fight the punishment.
“Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that,” said Kelly. “I will fight this with everything I’ve got — not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.”
Congressman Abe Hamadeh said Kelly’s remarks were a form of blackmail — not just advice.
“By suggesting there ‘could’ be severe consequences for carrying out undefined ‘unlawful’ orders, the ‘Seditious Six’ are emotionally blackmailing our active-duty personnel,” said Hamadeh. “The reason Democrats refuse to name what they consider to be illegal orders by President Trump is that they want our military and intelligence community to question every order they receive from this administration. They want to make our active-duty personnel hesitate to execute the agenda voted for by the American people, paralyzing these men and women with the threat of future punishment.”
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by Matthew Holloway | Dec 3, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) blasted Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego for posting what he called a “profanity-laced” video on X defending the controversial “Don’t give up the ship” message to U.S. service members. The message, released November 19th, also featured Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
In the ad first posted by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sen. Kelly is seen with Slotkin and Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA). Kelly is addressing “members of the military” directly and stating, “This Administration is pitting our uniformed military,” against the American people and advising that “from right here at home: our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
Many Republican critics, including President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Rep. Eli Crane and have argued that Kelly’s comments violated the law governing conduct of former service members still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Kelly is now under investigation by the Department of War (DOW), which stated in part, “In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”
Gallego released a 55-second video in a post to X on November 24th in which he stated:
“This is f***ing insane. We should all point out how f***ing insane this is. Hey, this is Ruben Gallego. I’m traveling through Arizona right now and I just received the news that the Department of Defense is starting an investigation against my seatmate Mark Kelly. This is f***ing insane. We should all just point out how f***ing insane this is. And you know: these guys are trying to say that they’re not acting like fascists. They’re not trying to give as much power to this president as a King. And they should start …stop acting like it. Mark Kelly is a patriot. There’s no reason why they’re going after him. He was doing his duty and just reminding people about their rights as service members.
And you know: Secretary Hegseth, all these guys: f*** you guys.
You’re not going to scare us. We have a right to defend the Constitution of the United States. We have a right to tell other service members that they have a right to ignore illegal orders. And you’re not going to intimidate us.”
In a statement posted to X on Friday, Rep. Crane blasted Kelly for his comments and Gallego’s attempts to defend them.
“Ruben, in your profanity laced video you state that there is no reason that this administration is going after Senator Kelly. You are either lying or unaware of 18 U.S.C. § 2387 in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This section prohibits inciting or abetting mutiny or sedition in the U.S. armed forces. Sedition is speech or conduct that incites rebellion or insurrection against a government or authority. I have noticed how the group who made this video have all agreed publicly that no unlawful orders have been given. They have then all stated that it’s just a reminder to our armed forces of their rights and responsibilities.
As servicemen ourselves we are both aware that all servicemen and women are already trained and educated of these rights and responsibilities in basic training. If the intention of your colleagues was solely to remind our service members of their rights and responsibilities then why didn’t they make this video when Joe Biden was CIC? You remember him right? The guy who didn’t know where he was half the time and who could barely string together a coherent sentence. The fact of the matter is that we all know why the video was made. If/when Senator Kelly is recalled to active duty for a court martial the American people will get educated themselves regarding the UCMJ and the provisions within it to deter this very conduct.”
In a post to Truth Social on November 20th, President Trump responded to the video, writing: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” In a follow-up on November22nd, President Trump wrote, “THE TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW, NOT ROAMING THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT WHAT THEY SAID WAS OK. IT WASN’T, AND NEVER WILL BE! IT WAS SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, AND SEDITION IS A MAJOR CRIME. THERE CAN BE NO OTHER INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THEY SAID!”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) issued a statement Monday responding to reports which suggested that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had shared “detailed information” about potential military strikes into Yemen and that President Trump is seeking his removal from office.
In the release, Hamadeh, in his capacity as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed in concurrence with President Trump that Hegseth enjoys his strong support and pointedly questioned “whether fake news reports about unrest in the ranks of the Department of Defense are intended to weaken our national security.”
In a post to X, the congressman wrote, “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have full confidence in @PeteHegseth and his team at DoD. The fake news had its sights on him since he was first nominated, yet he’s been moving positive changes at lightning speed. Keep up the good work!”
Hamadeh reportedly urged news outlets nationwide to return to President Ronald Reagan’s motto of “’trust but verify,’ before publishing ‘news’ based on claims from individuals with no affinity for the facts or have nefarious motives.”
This would appear to reference a New York Times story’s reliance on “four people with knowledge” of an alleged Signal chat, which was purported to include Secretary Hegseth’s wife, brother, and personal attorney, and NPR’s similar reliance on an unnamed “U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly,” as a source for its story suggesting Hegseth’s imminent ouster.
Hamadeh’s office excoriated both outlets writing, “Few news outlets reported about the fact that the Biden Administration’s Department of Defense did not publicly disclose – in violation of the law – that one of the country’s two National Command Authorities, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, was unable to perform his duties.
“In contrast, it appears outlets are creating ‘news’ out of whole cloth, eroding trust in our national security baselessly to the benefit of enemies both foreign and domestic.
“Currently, a disconcerting debate is raging on social media as to what opinions and policy positions should and should not be allowed to be heard. Unlike others participating in that debate, a former U.S. Army Intelligence officer, would never call for censorship or for the silencing of opposing voices, but understands the effects of fake news and false narratives on the troops.
“Given the fact that recruiting is up across the board for our military service branches to a 15-year high and morale is up among the troops thanks to Secretary Hegseth, it is not unreasonable to suspect that those spreading clearly false rumors about Secretary Hegseth might have not have our country’s welfare in mind.”
Hamadeh concluded with an admonishment of “propogandists posing as journalists,” saying in full: “While some of us are sacrificing our time with our families and friends to tirelessly promote peace through strength, propagandists posing as journalists are trying to undermine our country by spreading lies.”
In a statement responding to the Times’ report, Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell issued a categoric denial of the allegations against Hegseth saying, “Another day, another old story—back from the dead. The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trump’s agenda. This time, the New York Times — and all other Fake News that repeat their garbage — are enthusiastically taking the grievances of disgruntled former employees as the sole sources for their article. They relied only on the words of people who were fired this week and appear to have a motive to sabotage the Secretary and the President’s agenda.
“There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story. What is true is that the Office of the Secretary of Defense is continuing to become stronger and more efficient in executing President Trump’s agenda.”
Questioned on the story by reporters during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, President Trump told reporters on the South Lawn, “He is doing a great job. … Ask the Houthis how he’s doing.” He continued, “It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people.”
Hegseth himself told Fox News, “This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 20, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
One member of Arizona’s Republican congressional delegation is standing strong for the hopeful Pentagon head under the new presidential administration.
Last week, U.S. Congressman Eli Crane signed a letter in support of Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Department of Defense when the Trump Administration assumes control of the nation on January 20, 2025.
The letter was signed by 32 veterans in the United States Congress and was sent to Majority Leader-elect John Thune and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Senate.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “[Hegseth’s] ability to communicate across institutional landscapes – with military leadership, congressional representatives, and frontline troops – will set him apart. His media expertise and transparent communication style will be crucial in executing a clear vision that cuts through bureaucratic inertia. As a decorated combat veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, he offers an authentic understanding of modern warfare. His Harvard and Princeton credentials, combined with battlefield experience, forged a rare intellect aligned with President-elect Trump’s strategic vision, to bridge the gap between the beltway and frontline realities.”
The letter added, “Despite relentless media attempts to undermine Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, we call on the Senate to honor its constitutional duty of advice and consent by conducting a fair, thorough confirmation process that evaluates his nomination solely on its substantive merits – his distinguished military service, academic credentials, and a bold vision for revitalizing our national defense. The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on allowing this critical process to proceed.”
The congressional co-signers concluded their communication with an unequivocal statement of support for Hegseth, noting their confidence that “he will transform President-elect Trump’s vision into reality, safeguarding America’s national security interests with courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment.”
When President-elect Donald J. Trump nominated Hegseth last month to serve as the next Secretary of Defense, he said, “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down. … Pete has also led two Veterans Advocacy organizations, leading the fight for our Warriors, and our great Veterans. Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our “Peace through Strength” policy.
Hegseth is currently navigating an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate to secure the necessary votes he needs for cabinet confirmation in January with the 119th Congress, which will feature Republican control in the upper chamber.
Crane is finishing up his first term in the United States House of Representatives after being elected to Arizona’s Second Congressional District in November 2022. He is a military veteran of the United States Navy, serving thirteen years, including on SEAL Team 3. Before entering Congress, Crane also operated a small business.
This past November, Congressman Crane sailed to reelection over his Democrat opponent, with almost 55% of the vote. He serves on the Committees on Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Small Businesses. He is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, Western Caucus, and Copper Caucus.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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