A prominent Democratic senator in the United States has launched a federal lawsuit against a top Pentagon official, escalating a bitter political clash centred on military service and free speech.
Legal Retaliation Over Rank and Pension Threat
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired US Navy captain and former NASA astronaut, is taking legal action against Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth. The lawsuit, filed this week, comes as a direct response to Hegseth's attempt to revoke Kelly's military rank and halt his pension payments.
Last week, Hegseth sent a formal censure letter to Kelly, informing him of a pending review of his status. The letter, which provocatively referred to Kelly as 'Captain (for now)', stated the review was a 'necessary' step to punish the senator. Hegseth's argument hinges on the claim that, as a retired service member still receiving military pay, Kelly remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The 'Seditious' Video That Sparked the Feud
The controversy stems from a video released in November, in which Senator Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds advocated for active-duty personnel to disobey what they termed 'illegal' orders from the Trump administration.
In the video, the group stated: 'Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.' However, they did not specify which orders they considered unlawful or directly accuse former President Trump or Hegseth of illegal activity.
The reaction from Trump and Hegseth was swift and severe, branding the Democrats' actions as 'seditious behaviour'. Trump went further, suggesting on social media that sedition could be punishable by death, reposting a message that stated: 'HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!'
A Senator's Defence and Political Repercussions
In a powerful statement released on Monday, Senator Kelly defended his record and condemned Hegseth's actions. 'From the moment I drove through the gates of Naval Air Station Pensacola, to when I was shot at over Iraq and Kuwait, to when I landed Space Shuttle Endeavour... I earned my rank of Captain,' Kelly declared.
He framed the lawsuit as a defence of fundamental rights, arguing: 'Pete Hegseth wants our longest-serving military veterans to live with the constant threat that they could be deprived of their rank and pay years or even decades after they leave the military just because he... doesn’t like what they’ve said.' He added firmly, 'That’s not the way things work in the United States of America, and I won’t stand for it.'
The lawsuit names Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Navy as defendants. Notably, Hegseth indicated in November that the other five Democrats in the video would not face investigation as they fall outside the Pentagon's direct jurisdiction.
This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of Kelly's potential national ambitions. The senator, who was vetted as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, confirmed last week he has considered a presidential run in 2028.
