U.S. Senator Mark Kelly has sued Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that the Pentagon illegally tried to demote him in retaliation for criticising the Trump administration.
Kelly, a former Navy captain, attracted the ire of Hegseth and President Donald Trump after he filmed a video that told military personnel they could refuse unlawful orders.
Trump accused Kelly of sedition, and Hegseth stated that he would open proceedings to lower Kelly's retirement grade, potentially resulting in a pay reduction.
The actions infringed on Kelly's right to free speech and due process, his lawsuit alleges. The Pentagon and White House have yet to comment.
Kelly also enjoyed an illustrious career as an astronaut before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020. He is known for his centrist Democratic stance on defence issues, including his criticism over the deployment of National Guard troops in various cities during Trump’s presidency.
In November, Kelly, along with a group of Democratic senators, issued a statement affirming military personnel's rights to refuse illegal orders, prompting a backlash from Trump, who threatened consequences for their statements.
The lawsuit argues that Hegseth is targeting Kelly purely for the content of his political speech, and asserts that there was no legal basis for reopening the review of Kelly's retirement status.
Kelly contends that such actions could set a concerning precedent for retired military personnel, exposing them to retaliation for their political stances.
