"Rather than trying to shrink the First Amendment liberties of retired service members, Secretary Hegseth and his fellow Defendants might reflect and be grateful for the wisdom and expertise that retired service members have brought to public discussions and debate on military matters in our Nation over the past 250 years, Leon wrote. If so, they will more fully appreciate why the Founding Fathers made free speech the first Amendment in the Bill of Rights!"
"He had drawn the Trump administration's ire with several public statements questioning the president's military decisions. Kelly, who represents the swing state of Arizona, had condemned the administration for sending military troops to quell protests in Los Angeles in June 2025. Then, in November, he was also one of six former members of the US's military and intelligence communities to participate in a video reminding current service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders."
Judge Richard J Leon, a Republican appointee, granted an injunction preventing the Department of Defense from stripping Senator Mark Kelly of his retirement pension and military rank. Leon rejected the government's case as 'anemic' and 'horsefeathers' and issued a forceful rebuke aimed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for announcing a censure on January 5 he characterized as punishing Kelly for public criticism. Kelly filed a lawsuit on January 12 alleging punitive retribution after criticizing presidential military decisions, condemning troop deployments to Los Angeles in June 2025, and participating in a November video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. Leon emphasized veterans' First Amendment liberties.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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