Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has taken a firm stance against Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator from Arizona, after the latter posted a photo of his military uniform on social media. Hegseth accused Kelly of displaying his medals in an incorrect order and having reversed rows, a violation of military protocol. The statement, posted on X, read, ‘you can’t even display your uniform correctly.’ Hegseth further warned that if Kelly were to be recalled to active duty, it would start with a uniform inspection. The senator was not available for immediate comment. This incident has brought the issue of political activism within the military into sharp focus, particularly with the recent actions of the Department of War. The Pentagon has hinted at possible legal action, including a court-martial, if the allegations against Kelly are substantiated. The Department of War announced its review of the allegations following a viral video in which Kelly called on service members to ‘refuse illegal orders,’ a statement that has been interpreted as encouraging insubordination.
Meanwhile, the FBI is reportedly conducting interviews with six lawmakers who had made similar statements. These interviews, which the Bureau confirmed are ongoing, aim to determine whether such rhetoric could be viewed as incitement or a breach of military law. Kelly, who served as a naval aviator and later worked with NASA, has long been a vocal advocate for military personnel and civilian accountability. In a recent post, he detailed his military service and his work in the space program, stating, ‘I did all of this in service to this country that I love and has given me so much.’ He also dismissed the accusations of intimidation, saying, ‘If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.’ His response has drawn mixed reactions, with some calling for stricter enforcement of military protocols and others defending his right to speak out on matters of national importance. The Pentagon’s official statement, which maintains that the case will be handled under military law, has only added to the public scrutiny of the situation. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether the formal review initiated by the Department of War will lead to any legal proceedings or simply serve as a symbolic gesture to uphold military discipline.