Hegseth revives push to punish Sen. Mark Kelly

The Defense secretary appealed a ruling this month in favor of the former Navy captain.

Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz) depart a press conference before the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Feb. 24, 2026. | Alex Kent for POLITICO

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday ramped up his public spat with Sen. Mark Kelly, appealing a federal court ruling that blocked him from punishing the Arizona Democrat for advising troops not to follow illegal orders.

The case, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, asks a panel to set aside the ruling this month from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who issued a preliminary injunction halting the Pentagon’s effort to demote the former Navy captain and reduce his retirement pay.

The move reveals that Hegseth has no plans to tamp down his battle against Kelly, a potential 2028 presidential contender who has fought the allegations against him as a threat to free speech.

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