Overview
- Kelly filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, challenging a Pentagon reprimand and a proceeding that could reduce his final rank and cap his pension.
- His legal team seeks an injunction to pause the military process, which a panel of officers has asked him to address by January 20.
- The case was assigned to Judge Richard J. Leon, and the Pentagon acknowledged the suit but declined to comment.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s letter labeled Kelly’s conduct reckless and warned of potential further action, while reporting also notes FBI involvement.
- Kelly says the actions followed a video by six Democratic members urging service members to refuse illegal orders related to disputed Caribbean operations, a message that drew initial condemnation from President Donald Trump.