A senior US defence official, Pete Hegseth, has been formally censured following the release of a video in which he criticised Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, according to US officials.
The video, shared on social media, accused Kelly of undermining national security and questioned his loyalty, remarks that drew swift backlash from lawmakers and defence officials. Critics said the comments breached long-standing expectations that senior Pentagon figures remain politically neutral.
The US Department of Defense confirmed that Hegseth had been reprimanded, stressing that political commentary directed at elected officials is inappropriate for those serving in senior defence roles. Officials said the censure was intended to reinforce standards of conduct rather than signal further disciplinary action.
Senator Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy combat pilot, rejected the accusations, calling them misleading and politically motivated. He said the episode highlighted the importance of keeping the US military separate from partisan debate.
The incident has reignited discussion in Washington about the boundaries between politics and the armed forces, particularly at a time of heightened political tension. Defence officials reiterated that the military’s credibility depends on its independence from domestic political disputes.
