US EditionJudge blocks Hegseth, Pentagon bid to punish Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video
A federal judge ruled that disciplining Kelly violates the First Amendment, protecting free speech rights of millions of military retirees, and blocked his demotion and pay cut.
- A federal judge in Washington temporarily blocked the Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly, citing violations of his First Amendment rights, on Thursday.
- The dispute began with a November social media video in which Sen. Mark Kelly and five other Democratic veterans urged service members to refuse unlawful orders, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a Jan. 5 censure prompting Kelly to sue earlier this year.
- In a 29-page ruling the judge rebuked the administration, authoring a scathing opinion with multiple exclamation points urging defendants to respect retired servicemembers and citing the amicus brief on veterans' fear of reprisal.
- Leon barred enforcement and asked for a 30-day status update, prohibiting the Pentagon from punishing Kelly while the lawsuit continues and blocking demotion in retired rank and retirement pay.
- The ruling raises questions about extending military speech limits to retirees, as Sen. Mark Kelly said `This is a critical moment to show this administration they can't keep undermining Americans' rights`.
102 Articles
102 Articles
An American judge blocked the sanctions procedure against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who had suggested that the military "refusal illegal orders."
REFILE-Hegseth says Senator Kelly ruling will be immediately appealed
REFILE-Hegseth says Senator Kelly ruling will be immediately appealed Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Thursday that a judge's ruling blocking an effort to punish Senator Mark Kelly will "be immediately appealed." (Reporting by Ryan Jones, Writing by Christian Martinez, Editing by Jasper Ward)
A US federal judge today blocked the Pentagon's efforts to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for warning US soldiers that they could refuse illegal orders from the current government, US media reported.
Federal judge blocks Pentagon attempt to demote Sen. Mark Kelly over illegal orders video
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly outside the District of Columbia federal courthouse where his lawsuit against the Department of Defense was heard on Feb. 3, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday, blocking the Department of Defense from downgrading Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s rank as a retired Navy captain for appearing in a video where he and other lawmake…
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