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May 7, 2026
Appeals Court Signals Support for Senator Mark Kelly's Free Speech Rights
- A federal appeals court panel indicated it may not allow Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to punish Senator Mark Kelly for his comments on illegal orders.
- Senator Kelly, a retired Navy captain, argues that Hegseth's actions violate his First Amendment rights.
- The court's decision could uphold a previous ruling that blocked Hegseth from disciplining Kelly, reinforcing free speech protections for military retirees.
2 Sources
- Appeals Court Looks Unlikely to Allow Hegseth to Punish Mark Kelly for VideoMay 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM · NYT
- Judges seem skeptical of Pentagon arguments in case brought by Sen. Mark KellyMay 7, 2026 at 11:14 PM · The Hill