"Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, warning that the Pentagon's effort to punish him "sends a chilling message" to veterans who speak out against the Trump administration. Hegseth accused Kelly of "seditious" acts after Kelly publicly reminded US service members that they are not required to follow illegal orders. The Pentagon's actions against Kelly have troubling implications for the political speech of millions ofveterans, military law experts said."
"Hegseth's effort to muzzle a US senator "places other retirees who have spoken up potentially in jeopardy," said Rachel VanLandingham, a professor at Southwestern Law School who is a retired Air Force JAG. "Not knowing whether or not he's going to come after you already has a chilling effect." Kelly said his lawsuit is about fighting back. The Democratic lawmaker announced the federal lawsuit on Monday."
Senator Mark Kelly filed a federal lawsuit naming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Department of Defense, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and the Navy Department to stop efforts that punish retired service members for political speech. Hegseth publicly accused Kelly of "seditious" acts after Kelly told service members they are not required to follow illegal orders. Legal experts say the Pentagon's approach sends a chilling message to veterans, could jeopardize other retirees who have spoken out, and risks using military justice to police speech long after service — an approach described by some experts as baseless.
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