Pete Hegseth Says Judge's Order That Mark Kelly's Rank Can't Be Docked Will Be Appealed

On Thursday, a judge ruled that the Pentagon could not follow through on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's move to dock Sen. Mark Kelly’s rank and reduce his pay. Kelly sued Hegseth last month over his censure letter that cut his pay as a retired Navy captain.

Hegseth said the judge's ruling would be appealed immediately.

This will be immediately appealed.

Sedition is sedition, “Captain.” https://t.co/dKrvhqy1a5

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 12, 2026

🚨 BREAKING: Pete Hegseth just announced the Pentagon will be APPEALING an activist judge’s order BLOCKING disciplinary actions against Sen. Mark Kelly for telling troops to disobey orders

“Sedition is sedition, ‘Captain’” @SecWar said

Hegseth is NOT letting this go 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kNcOk8kF1h

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 12, 2026

ANYONE who has ever put on the uniform knows exactly what Captain Kelly was implying when he made that video. If he had any intestinal fortitude, he would take the reduction like a man & own it. If he really believed what he was saying, he'd be telling us all he'd do it again.

— Joe Schmoe (@Cornpopsbaddood) February 12, 2026

How is a civilian court allowed to interfere in military decisions? Are they now permitted to micro-manage any decision or command made by a military officer? Why wouldn't Kelly's appeal properly go through the military court system? Make it make sense.

— Happy Grandma 🇺🇸 (@GrammyMystery) February 12, 2026

A civilian judge doesn’t have a dog in this hunt. Demote Kelly immediately.

— WinkFlyer (@WinkFlyer) February 12, 2026

Separate legal systems and authority structures.

— Shin01176 (@Shin01176) February 12, 2026

The federal judiciary should have zero hands in the military. Too dangerous.

— WhyHeff (@WhyHeffie) February 12, 2026

A civilian judge has no jurisdiction over military courts. Case closed.

— Frank Folger (@ffolger9) February 12, 2026

I find it crazy that he even has to do this. That judge has no right to interfere.

— David Russell (@patriot16774) February 12, 2026

Dems like Kelly get away with undermining the military because judges always bail them out, but an appeal keeps the pressure on and exposes the hypocrisy. No letting go until he's held accountable.

— AgaObF (@AgaObF) February 12, 2026

The courts are not the proper place for this. We need military tribunals

— Camp David (@CampDavidAZ) February 12, 2026

There seems to be a lot of support for recalling Kelly to active duty and court-martialing him instead.

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