Amna Nawaz
@PBSNewsHour·5.3M subscribers·62.2K videos
Judge blocks Pentagon from punishing Sen. Kelly
Posted
February 13, 2026
Views
8,576
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806
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February 13, 2026
8,576
806
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1:15Now PlayingA federal judge temporarily blocked the Pentagon from punishing Arizona Senator Mark Kelly for participating in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.
District Judge Richard Leon ruled that officials violated Kelly's rights and "threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees." The retired Navy pilot sued the administration after he was censured last month and threatened with a demotion and cut in retirement pay.
Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Kelly called this a critical moment and lashed out at President Trump, saying "I'm going to stand up to him and stand up to this administration, because what they are doing is not right."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will appeal Thursday's ruling. It comes just days after a grand jury refused to indict Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers over their appearance in the video.
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