Reed Condemns Hegseth’s Partisan Attacks on Sen. Mark Kelly

WASHINGTON, DC –After Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced he is retreating from his threat to court martial U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a decorated combat veteran, and is instead seeking administrative actions to reduce the retirement rank and pay of Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), issued the following statement:
“I laud Senator Kelly’s distinguished and exemplary military service. The political action being taken against him is part of a broader pattern of partisanship being waged by the Trump Administration. Secretary Hegseth’s goal seems to be trying to crackdown on free speech. It is also preposterous given that both Secretary Hegseth and Attorney General Bondi have said the same thing they are denouncing Senator Kelly for stating. This is an affront to all retired servicemembers and no veteran should have their speech chilled. The entire caucus is united behind Senator Kelly.”