Mark Kelly slams 'idiot' Pete Hegseth for disrespecting 'apolitical nature' of military

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz) sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s approach to military leadership, arguing that the armed forces do not need more emphasis on “testosterone” or lethality.

In an interview with MeidasTouch, the former Navy captain and NASA astronaut said the military’s apolitical nature should be protected and questioned Hegseth over his understanding of the principle. Kelly’s rebuke came as Hegseth already faces continued scrutiny over blocked military promotions and changes involving senior Army leaders.

Mark Kelly criticizes Pete Hegseth’s approach to military

During the interview, host Scott MacFarlane asked Kelly about Hegseth’s public appearances and his repeated emphasis on toughness, lethality and a more aggressive military culture.

Kelly pointed to a speech Hegseth delivered before senior military leaders, saying the defense secretary spoke about “lethality and killing people” and appeared to expect applause afterward. “And when there was, you know, what he got was crickets,” Kelly said.

Kelly then criticized what he described as Hegseth’s failure to respect the military’s traditionally apolitical role. “I’ve got tremendous respect for the apolitical nature of the military. And he was giving a political speech, and he’s trying to communicate his vision for what he wants the US military to be,” Kelly said.

“We are the most lethal, capable fighting force this planet has ever seen. Our problem isn’t lethality, you know. Our problem is, sometimes we put idiots in charge of things and they make big mistakes and will take this country to war for no good reason.” Kelly also criticized Trump and questioned Hegseth’s understanding of military service. 

“And it’s always guys like Donald Trump who avoided military service. Pete Hegseth, he’s a little bit harder to explain. I think he missed something when he served on active duty and didn’t really understand the fundamental nature of the US military," Kelly added. “We don’t need more testosterone in the US military right now. What we need is better leadership.”

Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny over blocked promotions

Hegseth has been facing continued scrutiny over his handling of senior military promotions in the past few weeks. The defense secretary recently blocked the promotions of four Army officers who had been selected for one-star general positions.

A US official, in a statement to The Hill, said that some of the officers had ties to former Army Chief of Staff Gen Randy George, whom Hegseth removed in April, and Gen Chris Donahue, the commander of US Army Europe and Africa, who was ousted in June.

Retired Lt Gen Richard Newton, a former assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force, previously described the blocked promotions as “unnecessary, unwarranted and it’s certainly unprecedented.” Newton said, “I believe at the end of the day it’s really not very good for good order of discipline inside the military ranks.”

The Army is currently also without a Senate-confirmed chief of staff. Trump and Hegseth selected Gen Christopher LaNeve, a former Hegseth military adviser, to succeed George, but LaNeve’s nomination faces objections from lawmakers in both parties.