US Senator Mark Kelly sues Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth over demotion threats
Retired US Navy captain and astronaut seeks to block a Pentagon demotion process triggered by his video urging troops to refuse ‘illegal orders’
US Senator Mark Kelly sued Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, saying Pentagon proceedings to demote the Arizona Democrat from his retired US Navy captain rank violated Kelly’s free speech rights because he urged troops to reject unlawful orders.
Kelly, also a former astronaut, said in his lawsuit in federal court in Washington that the Defence Department’s actions were retaliatory and violated the US Constitution’s First Amendment protection of free speech.
The lawsuit asked the court to block Hegseth’s review and declare his actions unlawful.
A Pentagon representative in a statement said it was aware of Kelly’s lawsuit but does not comment on pending litigation.
In November, Hegseth blasted Kelly for appearing in a video that reminded service members of their duty to reject unlawful orders. In the clip, Kelly said: “Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders”.