Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has taken to social media to criticize Sen. Mark Kelly for a post about his military service, stating that the senator ‘can’t even display your uniform correctly.’ The comments come in response to a post Kelly made on X, where he shared a picture of his uniform and reflected on his military career, including his service in the United States Navy, flights on the USS Midway, combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, and his work at NASA. Hegseth called out the senator for incorrectly arranging his medals and inverting rows, suggesting that any recall to active duty would begin with a uniform inspection.
The Department of War had earlier announced a formal review into allegations of misconduct against Kelly following a video he posted, in which he encouraged military members to ‘refuse illegal orders.’ The review is part of an ongoing investigation into the legality and consequences of such statements, particularly in the context of military discipline and protocol. The Pentagon has stated that it may call Kelly back to active duty to face court-martial proceedings or other administrative actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, emphasizing that the matter will be handled in compliance with military law and due process. However, the department has indicated that further comments would be limited to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
Kelly, who has been vocal about his military service and experiences, has not yet responded to the criticism. His office did not immediately comment on Fox News Digital’s request for a statement. In a related development, the FBI has scheduled interviews with six lawmakers, including Kelly, who encouraged military members to disobey ‘illegal orders.’ Kelly has also publicly stated his willingness to continue his work in Congress, even if the criticism is intended to intimidate him. He said, ‘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. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.’ This has drawn both support and criticism from various political factions, highlighting the ongoing tension between military discipline and civil liberties.