Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
Pentagon Censures Sen. Mark Kelly and Moves to Cut His Rank Over 'Illegal Orders' Video; Court Finds Likely First Amendment Retaliation
The Defense Department used military-discipline machinery against a sitting senator for telling troops to refuse unlawful orders, after the President called the video sedition 'punishable by death'. A federal judge blocked the censure as likely First Amendment retaliation; prosecutors' attempt to indict the lawmakers reportedly failed before a grand jury. The government's appeal was argued on 7 May 2026.