Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed Navy Secretary John Phelan to brief him by Dec. 10 on a review that could include recalling Kelly to active duty for possible court-martial or administrative action.
- Kelly appeared with five other veterans of military or intelligence service in a Nov. 18 video reminding troops they must refuse unlawful orders, with Kelly uniquely subject to the UCMJ as a retired Navy captain.
- Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee, excluding Kelly, sent Phelan a letter calling the review a “brazen abuse of power” and arguing Trump’s rhetoric has made fair proceedings impossible.
- Kelly says he has received death threats and hired private security after Trump labeled the video “seditious” and referenced punishment by death, while the White House later denied he was threatening execution.
- Legal and military experts say any case against Kelly would face major constitutional and procedural hurdles, with some lawmakers tying the video’s message to scrutiny of recent U.S. maritime strike operations.