Pentagon Officially Threatens Retired Navy Captain's Arrest for Speaking Out Against War Crimes.
The Pentagon has taken a shocking step, threatening to recall a retired Navy captain from active duty after he spoke out against war crimes committed by US troops in Vietnam. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a bizarre threat against Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., saying that the senator may be recalled for court-martial for violating orders.
Retired Captain Kelly recently posted a social media video reminding service members to disobey illegal orders, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump and Hegseth. Trump suggested that Kelly should face execution, sparking death threats against him and his family.
The War Department has launched an investigation into Kelly's comments, with a spokesperson stating that the retired captain is under scrutiny for serious allegations of misconduct. However, many have questioned the legitimacy of this investigation, pointing out that the Pentagon's own failure to respond to similar cases in the past suggests that Hegseth's actions are part of a larger attempt to suppress dissent and silence critics.
The stakes are high, with some experts warning that Hegseth's actions could result in the entire chain of command being investigated for war crimes or murder. The retired captain has a history of speaking out against atrocities committed by US troops during the Vietnam War, including the infamous My Lai Massacre.
Kelly's case is not an isolated incident. In the 2000s, he provided the Pentagon with a list of dozens of former service members implicated in war crimes, but the department never took action. The lack of accountability and transparency has led many to question whether the current administration is more concerned with maintaining its own power than upholding justice.
The Intercept's reporting on Hegseth's actions has sparked widespread criticism, with many experts arguing that his behavior constitutes a clear abuse of authority. As one former JAG said, "There was no way that was unlawful. It doesn’t even come close to undermining good order and discipline of the military."
The case highlights the alarming trend of authoritarianism in the US government, with officials increasingly using their power to silence critics and suppress dissent. The Intercept is committed to fighting back against this trend, but it needs your support to continue its critical reporting on war crimes, corruption, and authoritarianism.
Will you help us expand our reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026?
The Pentagon has taken a shocking step, threatening to recall a retired Navy captain from active duty after he spoke out against war crimes committed by US troops in Vietnam. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a bizarre threat against Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., saying that the senator may be recalled for court-martial for violating orders.
Retired Captain Kelly recently posted a social media video reminding service members to disobey illegal orders, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump and Hegseth. Trump suggested that Kelly should face execution, sparking death threats against him and his family.
The War Department has launched an investigation into Kelly's comments, with a spokesperson stating that the retired captain is under scrutiny for serious allegations of misconduct. However, many have questioned the legitimacy of this investigation, pointing out that the Pentagon's own failure to respond to similar cases in the past suggests that Hegseth's actions are part of a larger attempt to suppress dissent and silence critics.
The stakes are high, with some experts warning that Hegseth's actions could result in the entire chain of command being investigated for war crimes or murder. The retired captain has a history of speaking out against atrocities committed by US troops during the Vietnam War, including the infamous My Lai Massacre.
Kelly's case is not an isolated incident. In the 2000s, he provided the Pentagon with a list of dozens of former service members implicated in war crimes, but the department never took action. The lack of accountability and transparency has led many to question whether the current administration is more concerned with maintaining its own power than upholding justice.
The Intercept's reporting on Hegseth's actions has sparked widespread criticism, with many experts arguing that his behavior constitutes a clear abuse of authority. As one former JAG said, "There was no way that was unlawful. It doesn’t even come close to undermining good order and discipline of the military."
The case highlights the alarming trend of authoritarianism in the US government, with officials increasingly using their power to silence critics and suppress dissent. The Intercept is committed to fighting back against this trend, but it needs your support to continue its critical reporting on war crimes, corruption, and authoritarianism.
Will you help us expand our reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026?
I'm seriously disappointed in what's going down with that retired Navy captain. Threatening someone for speaking out against war crimes is just plain crazy 
. It's like they're trying to send a message that anyone who questions the status quo can get locked up 
. And it's not like he was threatening national security or anything 
. He was just saying something should be done about the atrocities committed by US troops during the Vietnam War.
. It shows they're more concerned with covering their own backsides than doing what's right 
. And the Intercept's reporting on this is spot on 
, but it needs even more support to keep shining a light on these kinds of issues.
. We need journalists like the ones at The Intercept holding power accountable, not afraid of backtracking or losing their jobs 
. So yeah, let's help them expand their reporting capacity – it's about time someone started speaking truth to power 
It's like they're trying to send a message that anyone who questions orders will face consequences. Newsflash: our country was founded on freedom of speech and dissenting opinions. If we start silencing critics, we risk losing everything.
It's time for some accountability and transparency.
. It's unacceptable that a retired Navy captain is being threatened with arrest for speaking out against war crimes. I mean, come on! 
. We need more voices speaking out against these kind of abuses of power, not less 
. And what really gets me is the lack of accountability from the Pentagon in the past. If Kelly's comments were enough to spark an investigation, what about all the other cases of war crimes going unreported? It's clear that some people in power are more concerned with maintaining their own power than doing what's right.
. And it's not just about expanding reporting capacity - we need a cultural shift towards valuing transparency and dissent. We can't let authoritarianism win here 
.
like, what's next? 
gotta draw a diagram here: 
what happened to accountability? 
. I mean, come on, someone has to hold those in power accountable for their actions, right? It's not like this guy is some kind of troublemaker - he's just trying to do what's right and speak truth to power.
. This whole thing just reeks of authoritarianism and a desire to suppress dissent.
. And we need the media to keep pushing back against those in power who are trying to silence critics and stifle free speech. The Intercept is doing some amazing work here, and I'm glad they're exposing all of this for what it is - a clear abuse of authority 
That's some serious intimidation tactics right there. I mean, what's next? Threatening journalists for doing their job? Or politicians for questioning the administration's decisions? This whole thing is just so concerning 
.
. If the Pentagon is really that concerned about war crimes, then why did they do nothing when Captain Kelly first came forward? That's the real story here, not some overzealous secretary trying to silence dissenters.
. But what about the rest of us? How are we supposed to hold our leaders accountable if they're just going to silence us with threats of arrest or worse?
I think it's wild that they're trying to silence Captain Kelly like this. He's just speaking truth to power and calling out some really messed up stuff from the past. I mean, the My Lai Massacre was a huge scandal back then and we should be learning from those mistakes, not covering them up.