Retired Navy captain says Hegseth’s push to cut Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement pay raises myriad of legal questions
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is taking administrative action to punish Sen. Mark Kelly for taking part in a video where he and other Democratic lawmakers reminded U.S. service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders.
Kelly is a retired Navy captain. Hegseth is moving to demote Kelly and cut his retirement pay. He also issued a letter of censure. Kelly fired back, pledging to fight back.
RELATED | Sen. Mark Kelly calls Pentagon investigation into his remarks a move to chill military dissent
Todd Huntley, a retired Navy captain, judge advocate general and currently the Director of the National Law Security Program at Georgetown University, joined News4JAX Anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show on Tuesday morning.
Huntley called this a novel situation that raises a myriad of legal questions.
Press play above to watch the full interview
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About the Author Bruce Hamilton headshot
This Emmy Award-winning television, radio and newspaper journalist has anchored The Morning Show for 18 years.
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