An Arizona senator, facing accusations from the Trump administration of engaging in ‘seditious’ actions, has launched a federal lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in response.

Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, is challenging the defense secretary’s efforts to revoke his military rank and benefits, escalating an already tense confrontation.

“From the day I entered Naval Air Station Pensacola, to enduring combat over Iraq and Kuwait, and piloting the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its final mission, I dedicated everything to this nation, earning my rank as Captain in the United States Navy,” Kelly asserted in a statement issued Monday.

He added, “Few matters are as vital as defending the rights of Americans who have sacrificed to protect our liberties.”

Last week, Hegseth issued a formal censure letter to Kelly, indicating an impending review of his military rank and pension—a step deemed ‘necessary’ as a reprimand, according to the letter.

In November, Kelly, along with five other Democratic congressional members, appeared in a video urging U.S. service members to resist ‘illegal’ orders from the Trump administration, a move that drew strong criticism from Hegseth.

Since he is retired and still receiving payment from the military, the Arizona senator is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Hegseth’s letter claimed. 

The letter from Hegseth also cheekily refers to Kelly as ‘Captain (for now).’

Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly filed a federal lawsuit against Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth

Hegseth sent Kelly a censure letter last week indicating he intends to strip Kelly, a retired Navy captain, of his rank and pay 

Kelly when he was a pilot in the Navy. He later became an astronaut for NASA

‘Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,’ Kelly and a handful of other Democratic lawmakers said in a video released in November. 

All six of the Democrats in the video touted their own military or intelligence backgrounds, though they did not specify which illegal orders were given or if Trump or Hegseth were engaged in unlawful activity. 

Trump and Hegseth fumed at the time that the liberals’ demands qualified as seditious behavior. 

The president even suggested sedition can be punished by hanging. 

‘SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!’ before reposting another them that stated, ‘HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!’ 

‘Pete Hegseth wants our longest-serving military veterans to live with the constant threat that they could be deprived of their rank and pay years or even decades after they leave the military just because he or another Secretary of Defense doesn’t like what they’ve said,’ Kelly said Monday. 

‘That’s not the way things work in the United States of America, and I won’t stand for it.’

Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy are listed as defendants, according to the suit. 

Hegseth noted in November that the other five Democrats will not be investigated because they do not fall under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction.

The others include Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, an ex-CIA analyst who served multiple tours in Iraq; Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, a former Army Ranger; Representative Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, a former Navy reservist; and Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, a former Air Force officer.

Kelly, who was vetted to be Kamala Harris’ running mate in 2024, said last week he’s thought about running for president in 2028.

‘Of course,’ he told podcaster Aaron Parnas. ‘I think every senator thinks about it at some point. It would be irresponsible not to think about it.’