It looks like the consequences may finally be catching up with the Democrat lawmakers who proudly filmed themselves telling U.S. service members to ignore “illegal orders.” And for Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly — the most high-profile member of the so-called “seditious six” — the Pentagon’s spotlight hasn’t dimmed one bit.
As RedState readers know, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the Navy back in late November to investigate the matter and produce a full report with findings and recommended actions. That report is no longer hypothetical — and the process is officially underway.
According to confirmation on Thursday from a Department of War official speaking to The Hill, the Navy has submitted its report on “potential punishments” for retired naval captain Mark Kelly. The document, ordered by the War Department, is now sitting with the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel for legal review. Translation: this is no longer a political talking point — it’s an active case file.
Naturally, The Hill reached out to Kelly’s office for comment. And in typical fashion, the senator responded with the kind of dismissiveness that has characterized his attitude since the moment the video surfaced.
“It defies belief,” his spokesperson said, “that with all of the threats facing our country, Pete Hegseth initiated this ridiculous process to try to intimidate Senator Kelly for saying something Pete Hegseth himself has said repeatedly.”
The statement went on to complain that Kelly was never contacted during the review and insisted that “it sure as hell won’t stop him” from doing his job — which, according to the spokesperson, apparently includes lowering health care costs and ensuring service members are properly equipped. The spokesperson also tossed in a condescending lecture, saying President Trump and Secretary Hegseth “could do themselves a big favor and learn about our country’s history, the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Given that Kelly was caught on camera urging troops to dismiss orders from their commander in chief — and given how Democrats have spent years weaponizing “rule of law” rhetoric when it suited them — the irony is doing its own victory lap.
For those who’ve been following Kelly’s responses since the video went public, none of this will come as a surprise. The investigation is real, the report is moving through the system, and the senator’s defensiveness speaks for itself.
Where things go from here is now in the hands of the Pentagon’s legal apparatus — but one thing is certain: the process has officially begun.
