CELEBRITY
JUST IN: 40 MINS AGO Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, has faced consequences from the Pentagon following a video where he and other lawmakers advised service members to refuse unlawful orders.
JUST IN: 40 MINS AGO Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, has faced consequences from the Pentagon following a video where he and other lawmakers advised service members to refuse unlawful orders.
The Pentagon has moved to reduce Kelly’s military retirement pay, citing his actions as a violation of military protocols, despite his status as a retired officer. In the video,
Kelly emphasized the legal right of service members to disobey illegal commands, an issue he claims is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the military. This decision to cut his retirement pay has sparked controversy, with Kelly calling the action politically motivated.
The case highlights the complex intersection of military discipline, personal conscience, and political expression, with Kelly vowing to challenge the Pentagon’s decision.
Reports circulating Friday claim the Pentagon has moved to reduce the military retirement pay of Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, following the release of a video in which Kelly and several other lawmakers discussed the obligation of service members to refuse unlawful orders. The alleged action has not yet been publicly detailed by the Department of Defense, but it has already ignited controversy in political and military circles.
In the video, Kelly emphasized that U.S. service members are legally bound to disobey orders that violate the Constitution or the law of armed conflict. He argued that understanding this principle is essential to preserving the integrity and professionalism of the armed forces. Pentagon officials, according to the reports, view the comments as a potential breach of military norms governing political activity by retired officers who continue to receive benefits.
Kelly has criticized the reported move as politically motivated, saying it blurs the line between lawful education about military ethics and partisan retaliation. He has indicated he will challenge any formal reduction of his retirement pay, setting up a potential legal dispute.
The situation underscores a long-standing tension between military discipline, freedom of expression, and the role of retired officers in public debate. As clarification from the Pentagon is awaited, the case is already fueling broader questions about how far military authority extends once service members transition into civilian political life.
