Hegseth moved to demote the former astronaut after a November video in which Kelly reminded troops of their duty to reject unlawful orders
US Senator Mark Kelly sued Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, saying Pentagon proceedings to demote the Arizona Democrat from his retired Navy captain rank violated Kelly’s free speech rights because he urged troops to reject unlawful orders.
Kelly, also a former astronaut, said in his lawsuit in federal court in Washington that the Defence Department’s actions were retaliatory and violated the US Constitution’s First Amendment protection of free speech.
The lawsuit asked the court to block Hegseth’s review and declare his actions unlawful.
A Pentagon representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In November, Hegseth blasted Kelly for appearing in a video that reminded service members of their duty to reject unlawful orders. In the clip, Kelly said: “Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders.”
Kelly’s remarks came as more Democrats were criticising Republican President Donald Trump’s decisions to deploy the
National Guard in US cities and authorise lethal strikes on boats suspected of smuggling drugs from Latin America.