Politico

Court Hegseth Kelly Senator 00778449

Judge says Pete Hegseth is unlawfully retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly over illegal orders video

Reuters

Us Judge Blocks Pentagons Effort Punish Senator Mark Kelly 2026 02 12

Metaculus

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New York Post

Dems urging troops to ‘disobey’ are playing a dangerous game

MediasLies

Mississippi Free Press

Opinion | The Pentagons Move Against Mark Kelly Altered the 2026 Election Landscape

SenMarkKelly

Breitbart

Judge blocks Hegseths punishment of Sen. Mark Kelly

FOX News

Federal judge blocks Pentagon from demoting Mark Kelly over controversial military video

The Washington Examiner

Judge blocks attempt to reduce Mark Kelly's retired military rank

The Washington Post

Mark Kelly Hegseth Censure Ruling

Newsmax

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CNBC

Judge blocks Pete Hegseth's censure of Sen. Mark Kelly over troops video, for now

Blaze Media

Pete Hegseth says Pentagon will repeal court order blocking punishment against Mark Kelly

The New York Times

Judge Blocks Kelly Punishment Hegseth.Html

The Washington Times

Judge Blocks Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Punishing Sen Mark Kelly

Democracy Docket

Horsefeathers!: Judge blasts Hegseths attempt to demote Sen. Kelly over video to U.S. troops

The Hill

5736488 Judge Hands Hegseth Loss In Bid To Punish Mark Kelly Over Illegal Orders Video

Donald Trump

J. Michael Luttig

Steve Bannon

Ilya Somin

Marc Elias

Karoline Leavitt

Stephen Miller

William A. Galston

Maggie Haberman

Steve Vladeck

Patrick Jaicomo

Amanda Tyler

Brennan Center for Justice

"No, only Congress can suspend habeas corpus."

"Habeas corpus can only be suspended under the Constitution in times of invasion or insurrection. None of that is happening now."

"This is a really important question, and the answer is a categorical no."

"We are going to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if the courts keep ruling against this [Trump's mass deportations]."

"I can assure you that the president and the entire administration are certainly open to all legal and constitutional remedies [including pausing the writ of habeas corpus] to ensure we can continue with the promise of deporting illegal criminals from our nation's borders."

"I would say that's [suspending the writ of habeas corpus] an option we're actively looking at."

Will The Trump Administration Suspend Habeas Corpus?

Ron DeSantis

Lindsey Graham

Link Lauren

Brookings

Benzinga

DC_Draino

Michael Wolff

Mike Cernovich

News Barron Trump Commentary

Susie Wiles

Good Authority

Amy Walter

Bill Press

Daniel Di Martino

Rachel Reisner

"It [2026 Midterms]'s going to be dominated by what party is making you safe and prosperous. It's not going to be dominated by subsidies [Trump's presidential actions]. It's going to be dominated by the big stuff."

“A chunk of [GOP voters] who put them in power in 2024 are Trump-specific voters; they will vote GOP down ballot when Trump is running but won’t turn out to vote for a typical congressman in a midterm when Trump isn’t running.”

"As we have seen, the president’s party almost always loses ground in the midterm election following his victory... [but] if Republicans are to have a serious chance of retaining control of the House, President Trump will have to improve his job approval significantly."

"If legal immigrants begin to be deported without having committed any crime [by Trump admin], get ready for Republicans to lose the [2026] midterms by a landslide."

“The President will help his Republican friends on Capitol Hill get reelected [in 2026 Midterms], and work to pick up new seats across the country.”

"President Trump is the main event for the party [2026 midterms]."

"Republicans have reason to worry that the president’s political decline will affect their performance in next year [2026]’s midterm elections."

“All these people that he [Trump] helps — he doesn’t help everybody — but for those he does, he’s a difference maker, and he’s certainly a turnout machine.”

"Whether congressional GOPers can turn things around for the ‘26 midterms is more dependent on Trump than ever."

“All of the kinds of things [Trump's] doing now will result in him losing—certainly losing the House of Representatives."

"What’s crazy is that the 2026 midterms are entirely in Trump’s control."

"The success or failure of the Grand Old Party (GOP) next year [2026 US Midterms] will be decided on the strength or weakness of President Trump’s coattails."

Will Donald Trump be a Primary Voting Factor in the 2026 U.S. Midterms?

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from demoting Sen. Mark Kelly's retired Navy rank and reducing his retirement pay. Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the Pentagon violated Kelly's First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from demoting Sen. Mark Kelly's retired Navy rank and reducing his retirement pay. Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the Pentagon violated Kelly's First Amendment rights.

Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers released a video in November reminding military personnel they are not required to follow illegal orders. The video did not name President Trump or issue commands but reiterated long-standing military doctrine.

Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers released a video in November reminding military personnel they are not required to follow illegal orders. The video did not name President Trump or issue commands but reiterated long-standing military doctrine.

A federal grand jury in Washington rejected an attempt by prosecutors to indict Kelly and the five other lawmakers over the video. Grand jury rejections of federal charges are considered an extraordinarily rare occurrence in criminal cases.

A federal grand jury in Washington rejected an attempt by prosecutors to indict Kelly and the five other lawmakers over the video. Grand jury rejections of federal charges are considered an extraordinarily rare occurrence in criminal cases.

Hegseth issued a letter of censure to Kelly and initiated proceedings to demote him, claiming his conduct was seditious and violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Trump accused the lawmakers of seditious behavior punishable by death.

Hegseth issued a letter of censure to Kelly and initiated proceedings to demote him, claiming his conduct was seditious and violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Trump accused the lawmakers of seditious behavior punishable by death.

Leon wrote that no court has extended First Amendment restrictions for active duty military to retired service members serving in Congress. He stated the Pentagon should be grateful for wisdom retired service members bring to public military discussions.

Leon wrote that no court has extended First Amendment restrictions for active duty military to retired service members serving in Congress. He stated the Pentagon should be grateful for wisdom retired service members bring to public military discussions.

Hegseth announced the Defense Department would immediately appeal the ruling. Kelly stated the administration was sending a message to millions of retired veterans that they could be censured or demoted for speaking out.

Hegseth announced the Defense Department would immediately appeal the ruling. Kelly stated the administration was sending a message to millions of retired veterans that they could be censured or demoted for speaking out.

Judge Blocks Pentagon From Demoting Sen. Mark Kelly

Judge Blocks Pentagon From Demoting Sen. Mark Kelly

The Controversies

Justice

Somin

Tyler

Bannon

Leavitt

Miller

Graham

DeSantis

Brookings

Martino

Leavitt

Lauren

Wiles

Wolff

DC_Draino

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Judge Blocks Pentagon From Demoting Sen. Mark Kelly

Judge Blocks Pentagon From Demoting Sen. Mark Kelly

The Controversies

Justice

Somin

Tyler

Bannon

Leavitt

Miller

Graham

DeSantis

Brookings

Martino

Leavitt

Lauren

Wiles

Wolff

DC_Draino

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

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