By Zachary Cohen, CNN

(CNN) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Monday that the Pentagon is taking administrative action to punish Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, by cutting his retirement pay for participating in a video where he and other Democratic lawmakers reminded US service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders.

Hegseth said in a post on X that the US military will reduce the amount of retirement pay Kelly receives and has issued a secretarial letter of censure, which would stand as a written reprimand but have no practical consequences for the Arizona Democrat.

“In response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret),” Hegseth posted on X. “The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.”

CNN has reached out to Kelly for comment.

Behind closed doors, Hegseth has been weighing his options to punish Kelly for participating in the video, ranging from reducing the retired US Navy captain’s rank and pension to prosecuting him under military law, CNN has reported.

In the video that triggered the Trump administration’s calls for consequences, six Democratic lawmakers said that “threats to our Constitution” are coming “from right here at home,” and repeatedly urged the military and intelligence community to “refuse illegal orders.”

Although the video didn’t reference what orders service members might be receiving that would potentially be illegal, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns repeatedly about the legality of US military strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and the US military’s deployment to cities over the protest of governors.

Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said last month it’s not appropriate for the military to try to punish Kelly.

Asked by CNN if it’s appropriate to do so, Wicker shook his head. And after a follow up question, he replied, “You asked me that question, and my answer is no.”

In November, Hegseth requested advice from the Navy secretary, who oversees the military branch Kelly served in for more than two decades, on how to proceed to potentially punish him for participating in the video, which Hegseth has claimed amounted to serious violations of the military’s code of justice.

The-CNN-Wire
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