Originally published at: Mark Kelly Sues Pete Hegseth in Federal Court for Vengefully Going After His Rank - TPM – Talking Points Memo
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) sued Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Monday for directing the U.S. Navy to “reconsider” his rank and pay grade. Hegseth’s retribution followed Kelly’s participation in a video reminding members of the military that they cannot follow illegal orders. While other lawmakers also participated, Kelly — with his possible presidential ambitions and…
4 Likes
I see a second censure in Senator Kelly’s near future.
10 Likes
He’s my Senator; and is one of those helping me to imagine being proud of my country is possible.
19 Likes
I’m afraid this could get dismissed without further consideration (is that with or without prejudice?).
I guess it depends on which judge gets the case and how appeals go, as there will be all the way to the corrupt SCOTUS.
Have any of the justices served in the military? Do they have any respect for that commitment or are they like the First Felon in determining that anyone that serves is a fool?
8 Likes
Senator Kelly has my full support.
21 Likes
Didn’t think it was possible for Hegseth to look any more foolish, ignorant, and small, but in going against Kelly, he’s finding new thresholds of incompetence.
24 Likes
I think this is Kelly’s Benghazi. The point here is to damage a high-quality presidential candidate to the point where he can’t get elected.
… and to send a message to any military personnel who might have taken Kelly seriously.
2 Likes
I have a dim recollection of Mike Flynn doing actual illegal things while he was in the Trump 1.0 Cabinet. Yet nothing happened to Flynn’s pension IIRC.
16 Likes
I do not see this getting tossed at all. Too many issues of fact. I do not think that this is at all ripe for a motion to dismiss or even a motion for summary judgment.
14 Likes
The answer, unfortunately, is:
Currently, only one sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Samuel A. Alito, Jr. , has military service, having served in the Army Reserve after attending ROTC at Princeton and completing active duty training (Google macine summary to prompt current scotus & military service )
4 Likes
Yes, the country may develop a taste for Soviet-style anecdotes.
4 Likes
I actually saw the term “chicken hawk” on a protest sign over the weekend. I haven’t heard that one in years. The guy holding the sign was probably a Viet Nam vet and he was pissed about Venezuela in particular.
8 Likes
If only, and I’d like to see a large clot. Otherwise, this tracks. 25 47
3 Likes
I fully appreciate that may be the intent…
But this gang of paint-huffing ass-mandrills isn’t exactly known for its critical-thinking skills.
I’ll lay odds it strengthens Kelly’s electoral chances.
A lot.
23 Likes
Hegseth stepped in a bear trap by that letter of censure to Mark Kelly. Kelly is no shrinking pansey afraid of a fight. His combat record proves it. He has my total support and should he choose reelection he has my vote. I hope this suit shreds Hegseth. I am happy to have Mark Kelly as the senior Senator from Arizona
22 Likes
Ehh. He was just speaking the truth with a bunch of other elected officials.
While I don’t agree with the REALITY of what they were trying to smear Hillary with…I don’t think the two scenarios match up.
ETA: But I DO agree they hope this will keep other ex-military from speaking up.
6 Likes
I’m with you darr!
7 Likes
Nope. Kelly is on the offensive. This is a great way to get his values, integrity, service record, and name in the public eye.
15 Likes
Not an attorney, but I see no way any judge is going to Hegseth to continue his retribution and just make a summary judgement. I would expect to read of more DoJ/DoD folks getting fired for not being willing to continue this charade, and for Hegseth to retreat while he “reevaluates”. At some point he’ll get distracted by the next shiny thing and move on.
4 Likes