Congressional Democrats

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appealed U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s preliminary injunction that blocked the Pentagon from issuing a formal censure, reducing Sen. Mark Kelly’s retired Navy captain rank, or cutting his pension over a November video urging troops to refuse “illegal orders,” with Leon finding the actions likely violated Kelly’s First Amendment rights and threatened the liberties of military retirees. Hegseth had initiated a retirement‑grade review and cited possible UCMJ violations, labeling the video seditious, while a D.C. grand jury declined to indict six lawmakers over the clip; the DOJ filed the appeal on behalf of Hegseth, the Defense Department, the Navy and Navy Secretary John Phelan as Kelly vows to keep fighting in court.