Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a formal letter of censure against retired Navy Captain and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for a November video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders from the Trump administration. Hegseth criticized the video as seditious and a violation of military conduct standards, which may lead to a reduction in Kelly’s rank and retirement pay. Kelly defended his stance by citing his extensive military service and accused Hegseth of political retaliation against freedom of speech. This controversy highlights the tension between military discipline and political expression, raising concerns about accountability and the implications for military personnel’s rights to voice dissent.