Sen. Mark Kelly appears in court as Pentagon attempts to demote him over illegal orders video - Scripps News
A defiant Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) appeared in court Thursday to take on the Pentagon's attempts to demote him.
The case stems from his role in a video in which he urged U.S. servicemembers to not follow illegal orders.
A three-judge panel heard the arguments earlier today. And it appears as if a majority of the judges here are prepared to side with Senator Mark Kelly and reject the arguments of Trump administration officials that he should be punished, punished for video that he made last year.
In the video, Sen. Kelly and other lawmakers emphasize that members of the military are allowed to refuse illegal orders.
Members of the administration, including Donald Trump, were very critical of the video. Trump alleged it was seditious behavior that was punishable by death. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also moved to reduce the rank of Sen. Kelly, who retired from the Navy as a Captain. - 05/07/2026.
https://pmatep5f7b.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/ProdStage