Story perspectives

Panel Bars Hegseth from Punishing Kelly Over Missile Claims

5/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Appeals panel refused to let Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth punish Senator Mark Kelly for urging refusal of orders, prompting Hegseth to request an investigation after Kelly said on CBS U.S. has used 45% of missiles and half of THAAD and Patriot missiles.
The panel warned that stripping retired officers of pensions would set a precedent.
Judge Florence Y. Pan questioned the Justice Department’s claim that retirees must surrender rank and benefits.

History

Historical Context

In January 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney approved a Tomahawk cruise-missile strike that joined a coalition air campaign of over 100,000 sorties and 88,500 tons of bombs. Coordinated with U.S. Central Command under General Norman Schwarzkopf, the operation showed how large-scale ordnance can trigger legal scrutiny, a point the appeals panel cites in reviewing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s pension-reduction request.

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Story summary

Appeals panel refused to let Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth punish Senator Mark Kelly for urging refusal of orders, prompting Hegseth to request an investigation after Kelly said on CBS U.S. has used 45% of missiles and half of THAAD and Patriot missiles.
The panel warned that stripping retired officers of pensions would set a precedent.
Judge Florence Y. Pan questioned the Justice Department’s claim that retirees must surrender rank and benefits.

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