Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Secretary of Defense Hegseth invoked Great Replacement theory at D-Day commemoration — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking in France at a D-Day commemoration, invoked the Great Replacement conspiracy theory—which claims that white European and American culture is being undermined by immigration from Africa and Asia. He characterized immigration to European nations as an "invasion" and questioned whether European capitals would "do something about that invasion," perverting a commemoration of the Allied defense of democracy against fascism into a platform for white nationalist ideology.
• Hegseth uses D-Day speech to attack European immigration policy — On the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered remarks at Normandy in which he used the occasion to criticize European immigration policy. He stated that "different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies" today and questioned when European capitals would act against what he characterized as an invasion of migrants arriving by boat.
• Secretary of Defense rejects foundational U.S. government belief — During a commemoration of D-Day, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rejected the foundational belief that the government should promote the general welfare, instead framing the event as a call against perceived threats from immigration.
• Pete Hegseth delivered speech at D-Day ceremony invoking immigration as "invasion" — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at the Normandy D-Day ceremony in which he characterized immigration to European countries as an "invasion" comparable to military threats. He stated: "Different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies such as in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. Boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion?" He framed the speech around the sacrifice of D-Day soldiers.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth delivers D-day speech comparing European immigration to military invasion — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at the American military cemetery in Normandy on the 82nd anniversary of D-day, suggested that the freedom allied forces fought for in 1944 now risked being "upended" by a "new invasion" of migrants threatening Europe. He asked: "When will European capitals do something about that invasion, or is it too late?" The speech was widely denounced for weaponizing a solemn military commemoration to advance anti-immigration rhetoric aligned with far-right movements.

Supporting reports

• Defense Secretary Hegseth issued formal censure of Senator Kelly for calling military to refuse unlawful orders — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal censure of Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy officer, stating that Kelly's call for military personnel to refuse unlawful orders "undermines the chain of command," "counsels disobedience," "creates confusion about duty," "brings discredit upon the armed forces," and "is conduct unbecoming an officer." Hegseth directed the Navy Secretary to investigate reducing Kelly's retirement grade. This action followed Kelly's November 18 participation in a video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress reminding military and intelligence personnel of their legal obligation to refuse orders that violate the law or Constitution.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Senator Mark Kelly and threatened military pension cuts and criminal prosecution — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Senator Mark Kelly, cut his military pension, threatened demotion, and warned of possible criminal prosecution after Kelly urged service members to obey their oath to the Constitution. The action appears to be retaliation for Kelly's public criticism of Hegseth and the Trump administration. Kelly responded by stating he would fight the censure and threats, characterizing Hegseth as "the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country's history" and asserting that Hegseth and Trump do not have the authority to suppress Americans' right to speak about their government.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth issues formal censure to Senator Mark Kelly and initiates rank-stripping proceedings — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal censure to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly on January 6, 2026, and initiated administrative proceedings to strip Kelly of his retired military rank and reduce his pension. Hegseth accused Kelly of making "seditious statements" after Kelly, along with five other Democratic lawmakers who are military or intelligence veterans, released a November 2025 video urging service members to uphold the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Hegseth cited Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Kelly has 30 days to respond; the Navy Secretary must complete the rank review within 45 days.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration invoked sedition law against six Democratic lawmakers for reminding troops of duty to refuse illegal orders. — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking six Democratic lawmakers (Senators Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin; Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan) who had released a 90-second video stating "You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders." Trump called them traitors and claimed they committed "seditious behavior, punishable by death." The administration and allies then cited 18 U.S.C. § 2387, a federal sedition statute, as the legal basis for the attack. Legal experts widely agree the lawmakers' statement reinforces military discipline rather than undermining it, as the law requires.
• Trump threatened sedition charges against Democratic lawmakers — Trump threatened six Democratic lawmakers with sedition charges after they publicly urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The lawmakers had warned troops in response to allegations that Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered the killing of shipwrecked survivors in a Caribbean military operation.