Pentagon Appeals Order Blocking Kelly’s Punishment
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is appealing a judge’s order that blocked him from punishing Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders. The Justice Department filed a notice to ask a federal appeals court to review the ruling, which found that punishing Kelly violated his First Amendment free speech rights and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees. Kelly stated the appeal aims to “keep trampling on the free speech rights of retired veterans and silence dissent,” while Hegseth countered that “sedition is sedition.” The video, featuring several Democratic lawmakers who are also veterans, called on troops to uphold the Constitution, prompting accusations of sedition from former President Donald Trump.
John Q. Hosedrinker