Stand with Sen. Kelly Against Pete Hegseth’s Attacks

Pete Hegseth has crossed a dangerous line — and the U.S. Senate has the power to stop him.

The Trump administration’s defense secretary has formally moved to censure Senator Mark Kelly and threaten his rank, retirement, and livelihood. A cabinet official is attempting to punish a sitting U.S. senator for speaking out. That is an abuse of power, and it sets a precedent that should alarm anyone who believes in free speech, civilian oversight, and the Constitution.

This is where the Senate must act — now. Senators can and should reject Hegseth’s censure outright and make clear that the executive branch does not get to intimidate or discipline lawmakers. Republicans, in particular, have real leverage here, and some are already pushing back.

Senator Susan Collins was unequivocal. “I don’t think that’s appropriate,” she said of the proceedings Hegseth announced against Kelly. Senator Thom Tillis called the Pentagon’s censure of Kelly “ridiculous.” Their objections matter because they show this attack can be stopped if enough senators choose to defend Congress’s independence.

If Hegseth succeeds, the message will be unmistakable: criticize Donald Trump or his cabinet, and they will come after you — even if you are a decorated veteran and a U.S. senator. That’s not how democracy works, and once this kind of retaliation is normalized, it won’t stop with Mark Kelly.

Sen. Kelly has been clear about what’s at stake. “Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution — including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out,” he said. “Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong.”

Kelly’s message is simple and urgent: “Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.”

Tell the U.S. Senate: Reject Pete Hegseth’s censure of Sen. Mark Kelly. Stand with senators who are pushing back, defend free speech, and stop this abuse of power now. Sign today and demand action.