All posts tagged: censure

“Unrepentant bigot”: Democrats push for censure of Fine following anti-Muslim comments

“Unrepentant bigot”: Democrats push for censure of Fine following anti-Muslim comments

Published by Sam Flores

Democrats are calling for the censure of Florida Rep. Randy Fine after he made hateful comments about Muslims in the United States. Earlier this week, the recent addition to the House of Representatives wrote that the  “choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” The post led to immediate condemnation from Democratic lawmakers, who reacted with calls for Fine to be censured or resign. “This is genuinely one of the most disgusting statements I have ever seen issued by an American official,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wrote on X. “It should not stop shocking us that the Republican Party openly embraces this. Fine should be censured & stripped of committees. To ignore this is to accept and normalize it.” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., called for Fine to be censured in the name of “morality and decency.” Rep. Delia Ramirez called Fine’s post “despicable, hateful and dangerous.” “He must take responsibility and resign,” she wrote on X. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Fine a “disgusting and unrepentant bigot” and warned in a statement …

Federal Judge Blocks Hegseth’s Censure Of Sen. Mark Kelly

Federal Judge Blocks Hegseth’s Censure Of Sen. Mark Kelly

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by Stacy Robinson via The Epoch Times, A federal judge has blocked Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s censure of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), halting a process that could lower the senator’s military rank and benefits. “This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly’s First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees,” U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled on Feb. 12. “To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it!” Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, came under fire when he and four other lawmakers recorded a video last November telling members of the military that they should disobey any “unlawful” orders they received. On Jan. 5, Hegseth issued a letter censuring Kelly, saying his actions “undermined the chain of command,” “counseled disobedience,” and constituted “conduct unbecoming an officer.” He also posted on X that he initiated proceedings to reduce Kelly’s military rank and retirement pay because of “seditious” conduct. That letter said Kelly—as …

Pete Hegseth censure of Sen. Mark Kelly blocked by judge

Pete Hegseth censure of Sen. Mark Kelly blocked by judge

Published by Sam Flores

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., at left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Reuters A federal judge on Thursday barred Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from censuring Sen. Mark Kelly over the Arizona Democrat’s participation in a video reminding American military service members of their right to refuse illegal orders. Judge Rich Leon’s order in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., also blocks Hegseth, for now, from reducing Kelly’s U.S. Navy rank and retirement pay as punishment for his role in the video. Kelly retired from the Navy as a captain. Leon said Hegseth had “trampled” on Kelly’s First Amendment free speech protections and that the senator is likely to succeed in his lawsuit challenging the Pentagon’s effort to punish him. The preliminary injunction that the judge issued preventing that punishment could become permanent if Hegseth loses that case, as Leon strongly suggested will happen. The order came two days after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. tried and failed to get a federal grand jury to indict Kelly and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who is a former …

“Unlawful and unconstitutional”: Kelly sues Hegseth, Pentagon over censure

“Unlawful and unconstitutional”: Kelly sues Hegseth, Pentagon over censure

Published by Sam Flores

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon on Monday, claiming moves to censure him run afoul of the First Amendment. Kelly, along with several other legislators,  took part in a video that reminded members of the military of their legal right to refuse unlawful orders. Released in November, the video came amid accusations that the Trump administration had broken international law in carrying out airstrikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. Hegseth issued a letter of censure against the retired Navy veteran and announced the Department of Defense would decide whether to demote Kelly and reduce his pension in the coming weeks. Kelly’s lawsuit, filed in D.C. on Monday, asks a judge to block Hegseth and the Pentagon from taking action. “The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech,” the suit states. “That prohibition applies with particular force to legislators speaking on matters of public policy.” Start your day with essential news from Salon.Sign up for our free morning …