US EditionSen. Kelly sues DOD Sec. Hegseth, says he was punished for ‘disfavored political speech’
Kelly alleges unconstitutional retaliation by Defense Secretary Hegseth over his protected speech urging troops to refuse illegal orders, seeking to block censure and retirement pay reduction.
- On Monday, Sen. Mark Kelly filed a civil lawsuit naming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense, seeking to block enforcement of punishment and set aside retirement status changes.
- The November video prompted the Trump administration to label it 'seditious' and President Donald Trump suggested prosecution, while Pete Hegseth cited the video to justify downgrading Sen. Mark Kelly's retirement rank.
- In a 46-page complaint, Kelly's lawyers argued the federal retirement-grade statute covers only active-duty conduct and invoked the First Amendment and Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution.
- Hegseth issued a formal censure and announced retirement-grade proceedings that could lower Captain Kelly's retired rank and pay, and place the censure in his official file.
- Military law experts warn a Pentagon full of Trump supporters could bias outcomes, and Rachel VanLandingham said `The bottom line is, this is not lawful` regarding Hegseth's rank reduction attempt.
355 Articles
355 Articles
Hegseth warned ‘outlandish’ crusade is ‘doomed to flame out’
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s crusade to punish Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for reminding military members they can refuse illegal orders is falling apart, and fast, legal experts say. Controversy exploded in November when Kelly and five other military-veteran lawmakers released a 90-second video telling service members, “our laws are clear — you can refuse illegal orders. … You must refuse illegal orders.” Though the video didn’t name Trump, t…
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Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
Sen. Kelly sues Hegseth over effort to reduce retirement pay
(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, is suing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over his efforts to reduce Kelly’s Navy retirement pay following the senator telling service members to disobey illegal orders.
Kelly sues Hegseth, Pentagon over censure
What happenedSen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Monday sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon over the Trump administration’s retaliation for his appearance in a video reminding military members of their obligation to reject illegal orders. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, is asking a federal court to block Hegseth’s “unlawful and unconstitutional” bid to reduce his rank and pension and other threatened punishments “for engaging in disfavo…
The dispute escalates and now ends up in court. US Senator Mark Kelly takes legal action against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon. The allegation: political intimidation, unconstitutional action and the attempt to punish a critic of the Trump administration financially.
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