Judge Blocks Pentagon From Demoting Sen. Mark Kelly

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon issued an injunction blocking the Department of Defense from demoting Sen. Mark Kelly or reducing his retirement pay, finding the Pentagon violated his First Amendment rights.

Kelly filed a lawsuit on January 12 after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a January 5 letter of censure stemming from Kelly's participation in a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.

Hegseth said the injunction "will be immediately appealed" and described the video makers as seditious, while Kelly called the ruling a win for military veterans.

Leon wrote that the Pentagon's actions threatened the First Amendment rights of "millions of military retirees," and called the government's arguments "anemic" and "horsefeathers."

The injunction is temporary and will remain in place only until Kelly's lawsuit reaches a resolution, and Hegseth has said the administration will appeal.