Pete Hegseth cuts the pension and strips Senator Mark Kelly of his military rank, because he — a democrat— had the audacity to disagree with the Trump regime.

wyatt_h_knott@vermont.masto.host

@randahl It won't stand. Kelly will sue and win, and Hegseth will, once again, end up with white goo all over his face.

gimulnautti@mastodon.green

@randahl I think it’s pretty clear that Hegseth demands loyalty to a man, not to a constitution.

The winds of history are blowing hard on this one!

gimulnautti@mastodon.green

@xs4me2 @randahl It definitely is a far-right revolution that’s going on. Lockstep with Italy & Germany, even if it’s with a postmodern rhetorical twist of cynicism & irony.

Whether they will be successful now, or will they try again in 2032 remains to be seen.

waidler@bayerwald.social

@randahl
My strong feeling tells me that, apart from the misery and inconvenience Mark Kelly now has to endure, he will win this case.

randahl@mastodon.social

@waidler I hope you are right. But this is like a SLAPP lawsuit — the trouble it causes the target is the point.

xs4me2@mastodon.social

@gimulnautti @randahl

Indeed, time will tell. History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes...

Much will depend on the 2026 turn of events in the USA... and of Trump's state of mind. He has little time left.

eetschrijver@mastodon.social

@randahl Willing to bet that they'll discover they chose the wrong guy to pick a fight with?

deadinside@but.still.drinkin.coffee

@randahl At this point that's actually a mark of honor.

njwookie@mindly.social

@randahl

Hegseth is making Kelly the front runner for the next president of the United States.

savvyhomestead@mastodon.social

@cav @randahl

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/watch-woman-arrested-mid-interview-113510335.html

erika@ruhr.social

@randahl Ugh... "the most unqualified Secretary of Defense". He definitely is prepared for battle.

tasket@mas.to

@randahl Proof we're already in a dictatorship run by Trump loyalists.

oliverboehme@troet.cafe

@randahl Kellys response is fire though

femme_mal@mstdn.social

@randahl Hegseth's move isn't just a violation of Kelly's First Amendment free speech rights as well as an effort to deter compliance with military code.

It's a violation of the Constitution's Article 1, Section 6 Speech or Debate clause which protects members of Congress while doing their work. This same clause protected Sen. Mike Gravel in 1971 when he read the Pentagon Papers into the record.

lucyruthe@mastodon.social

@randahl

Dear Senator Kelly,

Please wear this "official" rebuke as the greatest possible badge of honor from a dishonorable and illegitimate administration.

You are not one of them and we applaud you.

osteopenia_powers@newsie.social

@femme_mal
It’s fascinating that Hogsbreath notes that status as an elected Constitutional Officer does not protect Kelly. Put a pin in that.

@randahl

femme_mal@mstdn.social

@Osteopenia_Powers @randahl Funny how Hegseth doesn't note that the DoD is a function of the Executive Branch while Kelly is acting in his capacity within the separate but equal Legislative Branch of government.

DoD has zero power over Congress.

3dogcouch@mas.to

@randahl #Democrats should initiate impeachment of Whiskey Pete.

caymanpilot@mastodon.social

@xs4me2 @randahl
Well he had the rape thing too which probably weighed well for him with Trumpolini

caymanpilot@mastodon.social

@randahl
If only all of the US military would publicly proclaim their obligation to only follow legal orders

Abspeckgeflüster – Forum für Menschen mit Gewicht(ung)

Pete Hegseth cuts the pension and strips Senator Mark Kelly of his military rank, because he — a democrat— had the audacity to disagree with the Trump regime.