Fact Check: Did Karoline Leavitt say Mark Kelly is a security risk and call for his removal?
WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor has been going viral on social media claiming that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has called Senator Mark Kelly a security risk and called for his removal after he told soldiers to disobey illegal orders, sparking criticisms and speculations. Let us analyse the origins of the viral rumor and fact-check the claim’s authenticity.
Claim: Senator Mark Kelly's security clearance has been revoked
According to the viral claim, White House has revoked Kelly’s security clearance at all levels.
Announcing the alleged development, Leavitt allegedly said, “Senator Kelly is a security risk and will no longer receive any briefings at all. He brought this on himself when he illegally told soldiers to disobey lawful orders.”
According to the post that made the claim, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “He’ll do great on agriculture.”
The post further states that the Seditious Six member who turned on his country and his oath just got neutered in one savage move. No more classified intel, no more power plays, no more pretending he’s some war hero while stabbing America in the back.
Fact Check: The claim originated as a satire
However, there is no evidence of Leavitt making such an announcement or any official statement from the White House that says Kelly is a security risk.
A search on Google for the claim yielded no credible results by prominent news media outlets, which, if true, would have been covered by news media such as Fox News and CNN.
The search also revealed that the claim originated from a Facebook parody account called ‘America’s Last Line of Defense’ which describes itself in the bio as, ‘Nothing on this page is real.’ Hence, the post was intended as a satire for the sake of engagement.
Democrats urged troops to reject illegal orders
In November, 2025, six Democratic lawmakers released a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to stand by the Constitution and “refuse illegal orders.”
The video shared by Sen Elissa Slotkin featured fellow veterans Kelly and Reps Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander.
Slotkin wrote in her caption, “We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community. The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.”
The group warned that “this administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.”
