Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Pentagon Over Hegseth's Censure and Threat to Reduce Military Retirement Rank

On Jan. 12, 2026, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) filed suit against Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, challenging Hegseth's censure of Kelly and threat to reduce his military retirement grade as unconstitutional retaliation for political speech. The dispute stemmed from Kelly's participation in a Nov. 2025 video urging troops to resist illegal orders, which Trump called sedition. Kelly argued executive military sanctions on a senator violated constitutional separation of powers.