'Absolutely not': Mark Kelly says he wouldn't change troop message or 'back down' after censure
ABC News••general
Key Points:
- Senator Mark Kelly was censured by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for a November video urging U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders, with Hegseth calling Kelly's conduct "seditious in nature."
- Kelly, a retired Navy captain and Democrat from Arizona, rejected the censure and said he would not change his message despite knowing it would lead to punishment, emphasizing his commitment to standing firm.
- The administrative censure will result in a reduction of Kelly's rank and retirement pay and could take 45 days to process; Kelly plans to fight the punishment, including potential appeals or lawsuits.
- President Trump harshly criticized the video, calling it "seditious behavior" and suggesting severe penalties, including imprisonment and death
