NEW: Sen. Mark Kelly RESPONDS to Pete Hegseth for censuring him, cutting his military pension, threatening to demote his rank, and warning of possible criminal prosecution for telling soldiers to obey their oath.

Sen. Mark Kelly has forcefully responded to actions led by Pete Hegseth calling for his censure, including proposals to strip Kelly of his military pension, demote his rank, and even pursue criminal prosecution.

The backlash follows Kelly’s public remarks urging U.S. service members to remain loyal to their oath to the Constitution.

Hegseth and his allies argue that Kelly’s comments improperly inserted politics into the military.

Kelly rejects that claim, warning instead that punishing elected officials for defending constitutional principles risks undermining democratic norms and civil–military boundaries.

Kelly’s rebuttal has reverberated across Washington, drawing sharp reactions from both supporters and critics.

The clash has now pulled former President Donald Trump into the spotlight, intensifying a broader national debate over military loyalty, political influence, and the limits of dissent.