Dozens of former military leaders defend Mark Kelly in Pentagon fight

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Jan. 20, 2026, 12:15 p.m. ET


Dozens of former military leaders are supporting Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly’s First Amendment lawsuit against the Pentagon, saying Secretary Pete Hegseth’s threats against the retired Navy captain could serve to undermine veterans’ protected speech.

The group includes former Secretary of the Army Louis E. Caldera, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 1998, and former Secretary of the Navy Sean C. O’Keefe, who served in the position during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

“They are deeply concerned by actions of the U.S. government that chill honest and thoughtful public participation of those who served their nation in uniform,” the group said in a Jan. 20 friend-of-the-court brief filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The 41-person group, composed of dozens of retired senior military officers including four-star generals and admirals, was aware of the potential risks involved with publicly speaking out against President Donald Trump's administration but believed that doing so was their civic duty, according to the legal filing.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/20/military-leaders-mark-kelly-pentagon/88264248007/

---

Link to FILING (PDF) - https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026.01.20.Kelly-v-Hegseth-Amicus.pdf

[electric_blue68]

1. TY. This is good to hear...

Especially having any officials appointed by Republican Presidents.

[tavernier]

2. This is great but...

I am truly surprised that there is no one in the upper ranks of the military, who would know what to do about a president who is actively breaking all the rules and laws of our country and intentionally attempting to destroy our democracy. Doesn’t it seem that somewhere at West Point or another military school, future admirals and generals were taught how to deal with traders against the country. ?? Isn’t it way past time for “deeply concerned?”

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Remember he lost a bunch of generals during his first term

some fired, some retired, and others resigned. That pattern seemed to continue through the first year of this term.

[bluestarone]

4. THIS could be the stopping point for TSF.

and his crownies.