Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Pentagon to Block Hegseth's Censure and Potential Demotion
Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon, seeking to block censure, demotion and pension cuts as unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech.
Overview
Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and Arizona Democrat, filed suit in D.C. federal court naming Pete Hegseth, the DoD, and Navy officials as defendants.
The lawsuit challenges Hegseth’s Jan. 5 censure and related proceedings that could lower Kelly’s retired rank and reduce his retirement pay, seeking a permanent injunction.
Kelly alleges violations of his First Amendment free-speech rights, the Speech or Debate Clause protecting lawmakers, and his due-process rights from punitive administrative actions.
The dispute stems from a November video where Kelly and five other Democratic veterans urged service members to refuse illegal orders, prompting criticism and an investigation by the Pentagon.
Hegseth called the censure a procedural step toward possible recall, demotion and court-martial; Kelly says it chills veterans’ speech and sought court review to halt the actions.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this story neutrally: they present competing claims, attribute heated language to named actors, and provide legal and procedural context. They quote Kelly's lawsuit and Hegseth's statements, note the Pentagon's limited comment, and explain retirement-review rules under the UCMJ, avoiding reporters' evaluative language.
Sources (21)
FAQ
The dispute originated from a November video where Sen. Mark Kelly and five other Democratic veterans urged service members to refuse illegal orders, prompting Pentagon criticism, an investigation, and Hegseth's Jan. 5 censure against Kelly.
Kelly is challenging Hegseth’s Jan. 5 censure and related proceedings that could lead to his retired rank being lowered, retirement pay reduced, possible recall, demotion, and court-martial.
Kelly alleges violations of his First Amendment free-speech rights, the Speech or Debate Clause protecting lawmakers, and his due-process rights from punitive administrative actions.
Kelly filed a 46-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Pete Hegseth, the Department of Defense, and Navy officials.
History
3 sources