All articles tagged with #mark kelly
The Pentagon has appealed a court order that blocked punishment of Senator Mark Kelly for urging troops to resist unlawful orders, signaling a renewed push to discipline him despite the ruling.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launches an appeal to overturn a court ruling that blocked punishing Sen. Mark Kelly for advising troops not to follow illegal orders, heightening a public clash over retired military free speech and fueling ongoing political contention.
During CNN’s interview, Sen. Markwayne Mullin refused to weigh in on Trump’s bid to jail six Democratic lawmakers after a video urging service members to disobey illegal orders, saying that decision lies with the DOJ and later suggesting the Biden administration-politicization angle. The broader story notes the DOJ’s failed indictments of the lawmakers and a federal judge’s ruling blocking a move against Sen. Mark Kelly, illustrating the clash between Trump’s retaliation drive and the legal process.
Sen. Mark Kelly’s attorney urged the DOJ not to seek a second indictment against six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video telling service members they can refuse illegal orders, arguing there’s no factual or legal basis for retrying and citing First Amendment protections plus a federal judge’s ruling against penalizing Kelly; the first DOJ attempt in February produced no indictment due to lack of probable cause.
A federal judge expressed skepticism about the Pentagon's effort to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly's retirement pay and rank after he urged service members to refuse unlawful orders, saying extending active-duty speech restrictions to retirees is unprecedented; Kelly's lawyers argue a First Amendment violation and possible immunity under the Speech and Debate Clause, with a ruling anticipated by Feb. 11.
A federal judge expressed skepticism about the Pentagon’s legal justification for punishing Sen. Mark Kelly, underscoring legal uncertainty surrounding the government’s sanction as the case proceeds in court.
A federal judge in Washington expressed sympathy toward Senator Mark Kelly in his lawsuit challenging the Pentagon’s plan to discipline him for urging service members to refuse illegal orders, indicating he may not embrace expanding First Amendment protections to retirees. The DOJ argued the court should avoid military discipline questions, while Kelly’s team warned of a possible chilling effect on speech by current and former service members. Judge Richard Leon said a decision on Kelly’s request to block the Pentagon’s actions, which could include downgrading his retirement rank and issuing a censure, could come by February 11.
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly has leveraged the heightened attention from former President Trump to become a major Democratic fundraiser for 2026, directing nearly $5 million to candidates, party committees, and state parties in 2025—including over $1.4 million in direct contributions and more than $2.3 million to the DSCC—while traveling to key states and building a profile that could anchor a 2028 bid.
MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell praised Sen. Mark Kelly's lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a retirement-grade determination tied to Kelly's statements, calling it 'Lawfare For Dummies.' The suit argues the Pentagon violated due process by reopening or altering Kelly's retirement consequences after his post-retirement political remarks, and Kelly says he's defending constitutional rights and veterans' ability to speak out.
Sen. Mark Kelly filed a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging punitive actions tied to his participation in a Democratic video to U.S. troops violated the Constitution, including the Speech or Debate Clause and due‑process protections; the suit also names the Navy Department. The Pentagon has not commented on ongoing litigation, and Hegseth had announced a plan to cut Kelly’s retired pay amid the dispute.
Sen. Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and related Defense Department officials, arguing that actions taken in response to his and fellow lawmakers’ criticisms violated his First Amendment rights, the Speech and Debate Clause, and several related statutes (including rules on retired officers’ ranks and the Administrative Procedure Act). The suit follows Hegseth’s January censure of Kelly after a veterans’ video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders, and frames the dispute as part of broader tensions over congressional oversight and political influence within the military. Kelly, a retired Navy officer and astronaut, defends his speech as Constitutionally protected and warns that allowing such executive actions could undermine a coequal Congress. The piece also references ancillary reports on war-law issues, such as perfidy in a 2025 Venezuelan-boat attack, to illustrate ongoing civil-military tensions.
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly filed a civil lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to block the Pentagon's move to downgrade his retirement rank and pay, arguing the punishment is unconstitutional retaliation for his criticisms of the administration and protected speech, including a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.
Senator Mark Kelly defies censure and vows to fight any punishment after participating in a video advising troops they can refuse illegal orders, amid political controversy and criticism from President Trump.
The Pentagon is considering demoting Senator Mark Kelly and reducing his pension over a video he co-released, which the department claims undermines military discipline. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, defends the video as protected political speech and criticizes the move as an attempt to intimidate him. The controversy involves questions about the limits of military authority over retired officers and members of Congress engaging in political speech.
Senator Mark Kelly, along with other veteran Democrats, issued a video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders, prompting Trump to call the video treasonous and demand arrests. The Pentagon is investigating Kelly for misconduct, which he denies, stating he has not been officially notified and views the investigation as intimidation. Kelly emphasizes his commitment to following the law and resists being bullied by Trump.