US Edition
Judge 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`.
137 Articles
137 Articles
Because he had called for US military personnel to refuse "illegal orders", the Pentagon wanted to sanction the democratic senator and former fighter jet pilot Mark Kelly. However, this plan blocked a federal judge on Thursday by provisional order. Kelly's statements were covered by freedom of expression, said Judge Richard Leon. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced an appeal and again accused Kelly of "insurgency".Hegseth, who has been calling…
An American judge blocked the sanctions procedure against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who had suggested that the military "refusal illegal orders."
Judge Blocks Hegseth's Action Against Mark Kelly
A federal judge blocked War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s censure of Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The censure stemmed from a video directing troops not to follow what he claimed were “illegal orders” from President Trump. Kelly then filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon and Hegseth, claiming in a social media statement that the War Department’s action threatened his “freedom of speech, the separation of powers, and due process.” According to U.S. Distri…
thepress.net
US judge blocks Pentagon from punishing senator over video
A US judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Pentagon's efforts to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly over a video in which he and other lawmakers urged military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
