Tuesday, January 6, 2026

They’re not going to shut me up

You swear an oath to the Constitution when you join the military — including the First Amendment right to free speech. We swore to defend the foundational principles of this country. I took that oath seriously 40 years ago, and I still do.
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Picture of Mark Kelly

Jason,

Pete Hegseth decided he's going to censure me, and is threatening to demote me and reduce my pension.

I got shot at in service to this country. I missed holidays and birthdays. I commanded a space shuttle mission and launched to the International Space Station while my wife recovered from a gunshot wound to the head.

My rank and retirement are things that I earned through my service and sacrifice for this country. Generations of servicemembers have done the same. Pete Hegseth wants to send a message to every single one that he will come after them if they say something he doesn't like.

You swear an oath to the Constitution when you join the military — including the First Amendment right to free speech. We swore to defend the foundational principles of this country. I took that oath seriously 40 years ago, and I still do.

Pete Hegseth can threaten to reduce my rank and my pension. But I am not going to let him intimidate me, or anyone else. He is not going to stop me from defending our democracy from a president who is hellbent on destroying it.

If they think this is going to shut me up, they've got another thing coming.

And if you're still with me, please: Split a donation between Nikema Williams and me so we can fight back.

If you've stored your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be processed immediately and split between Mark Kelly and Congresswoman Nikema.
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Don't give up the ship.

Mark



Paid for by Nikema for Congress

Nikema for Congress | P.O. Box 311913 | Atlanta, GA 31131

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