Just in…
A federal judge on Thursday halted the Pentagon’s attempt to formally censure Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and reduce his retirement rank.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, said the military’s stricter rules on speech are meant to preserve discipline among active-duty troops — but have never been applied to retired service members. (RELATED: Sec. Of War Moves To Censure Senator Mark Kelly)
“I will not be the first to do so,” Leon wrote, warning that the Pentagon’s actions threatened the constitutional freedoms of millions of retired veterans.
Leon accused Department of War officials of “trampling” on Kelly’s free speech rights and argued that retirees deserve stronger protection from government punishment. (RELATED: Mark Kelly Files Lawsuit Against Pentagon Over ‘Illegal Orders’ Dispute)
Quoting Bob Dylan, the judge added, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” criticizing what he described as an obvious overreach.
“To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government,” Leon wrote.
Kelly, a retired Navy captain, filed suit last month after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon had opened retirement grade review proceedings and issued a formal letter of censure tied to a video released in November.
In the video, Kelly and several other Democrats with military or intelligence backgrounds urged service members to reject unlawful orders. Those lawmakers included Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), and others.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department declined to indict the lawmakers.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
READ NEXT: Illinois City Begins Reparations Payments To 44 Black Residents
Another left wing District Court Judge trying to override the Feds. When will they get back in their own lane. Maybe a few need to be impeached to get the message across.