February 26, 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appealed a district court order blocking him from reducing the U.S. Navy rank of Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., after the lawmaker told members of the military they don't have to follow unlawful orders.
February 12, 2026
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., secured a court order on Thursday blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from reducing his U.S. Navy rank after he told members of the military they don't have to follow unlawful orders.
January 27, 2026
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a retired U.S. Navy captain, says the U.S. Department of Defense is seeking to impose an "unprecedented" and "radical" view of military veterans' First Amendment rights in order to punish him for telling members of the military they don't have to follow unlawful orders.
January 21, 2026
Dozens of former military leaders have backed U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., in challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's bid to reduce his Navy rank, saying Kelly's punishment for "accurate statements of military law" discourages veterans from exercising their own First Amendment rights.
January 12, 2026
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Monday, urging a D.C. federal court to declare unlawful Hegseth's attempt to reduce the lawmaker's Navy rank over statements reminding service members of their obligation to disregard unlawful orders.