Mark Kelly makes case for Democrats on ‘The View’ 1 week before Election Day

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona is pointing to a possible effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after next week’s midterm elections, saying the push is not simply about whether Democrats win.

Speaking on “The View” Tuesday, Kelly discussed an impeachment effort led by Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie against Hegseth, who Kelly is currently fighting in court.

“When we get back after this election, Republican Tom Massie has impeachment articles that he already filed against Pete Hegseth for like eight different things. One of them has to do with my case: them trying to violate my First Amendment rights, and I had to follow it up with a lawsuit. You remember that whole thing?” Kelly said.

Kelly, who has been campaigning for fellow Democrats, also framed the election as a choice about whom elected officials serve.

“I don’t think this election really is about Democrats or Republicans,” Kelly said. “It’s about electing people that are going to stand with the American people or people who are going to stand with the elite.”

He said lawmakers need to focus on lowering costs, improving access to affordable healthcare and addressing food insecurity.

What kicked off the dispute between Mark Kelly and Pete Hegseth?

Kelly’s legal battle with Hegseth began after he and five other Democratic lawmakers released a video on Nov. 18 reminding service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders

The video drew widespread attention two days later, when Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition on Truth Social. He called the video “seditious behavior at the highest level” by “traitors” and said it was “punishable by death.”

Hegseth called the lawmakers the “Seditious Six.” He said Kelly was the only participant under investigation because, as a retired Navy commander, Kelly remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Mark Kelly challenges Pentagon action

The Pentagon moved to censure Kelly and pursue a reduction in his military rank and retirement pay. Kelly sued Hegseth to block those actions.

“Then he tried to indict us and send us to jail. That didn’t work. Then Pete Hegseth tried to reduce me in rank, take away my pension after 25 years of service to this country, so then I sued him,” Kelly told “The View.”

A federal judge ruled in Kelly’s favor, blocking the Pentagon from enforcing the censure or reducing his rank and retirement pay. Hegseth appealed.

The case, Mark Kelly v. Pete Hegseth, is awaiting a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Kelly said it could eventually reach the Supreme Court.

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