US EditionEx-military leaders back Mark Kelly in lawsuit against Hegseth
A group of 41 retired senior military officers argue the Pentagon's censure and demotion of Sen. Mark Kelly infringe on First Amendment rights and could deter veterans from speaking out.
- On Jan. 20, 2026, dozens of retired senior military officials filed a friend-of-the-court brief in U.S. District Court supporting U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly's lawsuit challenging the Pentagon's censure and demotion actions.
- The matter traces to a Nov. 18 video in which Kelly said service members can refuse unlawful orders, and the Pentagon launched an investigation in November, announcing it on Nov. 24 citing military codes and federal law.
- The 41-person amici group includes former Secretary of the Army Louis E. Caldera, former Secretary of the Navy Sean C. O'Keefe, Admiral Thad W. Allen, General George W. Casey Jr., and General Michael V. Hayden, calling the Pentagon's actions "remarkable and unprecedented."
- Kelly sued the Pentagon on Jan. 12 arguing Pete Hegseth's demotion move would reduce his retirement pay and amici warned punishment risks chilling veterans' public participation.
- Kelly and Hegseth's yearlong hostility has escalated the dispute, while the 41 retired senior military leaders said many veterans now avoid public debate fearing reprisal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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Writer weighs in on Mark Kelly situation
To the editor: The other day, I heard a little bit of news that I couldn’t believe. Our “felon in chief,” Donald, is planning to cut Senator Mark Kelly’s military pension. After checking, I found that this was true. I first thought, well that is not legal, and then remembered who I was talking about. A convicted felon 34 times over is probably not worried about the law at this point. Anyway, I sort of feel bad for Mark, and came up with some wa…
41 military leaders back 'Seditious Six' ringleader Kelly, sound familiar? · American Wire News
Former military leaders are circling the wagons around Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in a move that reads like history repeating itself. Forty-one ex-military officials have come out in support of Kelly, who has come under fire by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over his part in the “Seditious Six” video that encouraged active-duty military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The group includes “retired four-star generals, admirals, and service secretari…
They argue that sanctioning the senator for his political speech violates the First Amendment and would have an intimidating effect on other former service members
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is threatening to cut retired Commander Mark Kelly's pension. About 40 former military leaders have shown their support for Kelly.
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- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
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