Month: January 2026

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., has filed a federal lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon, seeking to stop what he calls an unprecedented and unconstitutional effort to punish him by lowering his military retirement rank and pension. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, argues the administration’s actions amount to retaliation for protected political speech. The dispute stems from a video released last November in which Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds urged active-duty personnel to “refuse illegal orders.” The group did not point to specific directives but framed the message as a reminder of service members’ constitutional obligations.

According to the 46-page complaint, Hegseth and President Donald Trump responded with what Kelly describes as “extreme rhetoric and punitive retribution,” publicly accusing him of “sedition” and “treason.” Kelly contends those accusations, coupled with Pentagon actions, violated his First Amendment rights, his right to due process, and the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which protects lawmakers from punishment over official acts. Kelly’s lawyers wrote: “It appears that never in our nation’s history has the Executive Branch imposed military sanctions on a Member of Congress for engaging in disfavored political speech,” adding that allowing such punishment would “invert the constitutional structure” by giving the executive branch leverage over legislators and chilling congressional oversight of the military.

Hegseth announced last week that the Defense Department had initiated retirement grade determination proceedings that could reduce Kelly’s retired rank and corresponding pay. He also issued a formal letter of censure that would be placed permanently in Kelly’s military personnel file, citing what he called “reckless misconduct.” In a post on X, Hegseth said Kelly and the other lawmakers had released “a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline.” He added that as a retired officer receiving a pension, Kelly remained accountable under military law.

The lawsuit counters that federal law does not allow the Pentagon to revisit a retirement rank based on post-retirement political speech. Kelly also argues his due process rights were violated when senior officials publicly labeled his conduct criminal before any formal proceedings took place. “The Constitution does not permit the government to announce the verdict in advance and then subject Senator Kelly or anyone else to a nominal process designed only to fulfill it,” the complaint states.

Kelly retired from the Navy in 2011 after more than 20 years of service, including multiple deployments. In a statement, he said the case goes beyond his own situation. “Pete Hegseth is coming after what I earned through my twenty-five years of military service, in violation of my rights as an American, as a retired veteran, and as a United States Senator whose job is to hold him—and this or any administration—accountable,” he said, and warned the effort “sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military” who speaks critically of government leaders.

Editorial credit: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com

An Illinois doctor accused of killing his ex-wife and her current husband in their Columbus, Ohio, home is now facing more serious charges, as authorities prepare to return him to Ohio for prosecution.

Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37, according to Franklin County court records. McKee was arrested Saturday in Rockford, Illinois, after investigators linked him to a vehicle captured on surveillance footage near the crime scene.

The Tepes were discovered shot to death inside their Weinland Park home on North Fourth Street when Columbus police conducted a wellness check after Spencer Tepe, a dentist, failed to report to work. A co-worker called 911 and told dispatchers, “He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues whatsoever. I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned because this is out of character. And we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.” Police found no signs of forced entry and did not locate a weapon at the scene. Spencer Tepe had been shot multiple times, while Monique Tepe suffered at least one gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators believe the killings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. Their two children, a 1-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were found in the home unharmed along with the family dog.

McKee appeared briefly in Winnebago County Court on Monday wearing a yellow jail uniform, with his hands and feet restrained. He did not speak during the hearing beyond stating his name. His attorney, public defender Carie Poirier, said McKee intends to plead not guilty and has waived extradition in order to be transferred quickly to Ohio. A status hearing on the transfer is scheduled for Jan. 19. The Columbus Police Department had previously released video of a hooded individual walking in an alley near the Tepe’s residence that night but have not confirmed whether McKee is the person shown, citing the ongoing investigation.

McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017 after less than two years together. Court records show the divorce was granted on grounds of incompatibility, with no children from the marriage and no spousal support awarded. Monique later married Spencer Tepe in December 2020.

McKee, a vascular surgeon, holds medical licenses in Illinois and California and previously practiced in Nevada. His former hospital employer in Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, said it is cooperating with authorities. There are no known disciplinary actions on his medical record.

In a statement, family members of the Tepes said regarding McKee’s arrest: “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community. … As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable.”

In a separate statement, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh said, “Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”

McKee remains held in the Winnebago County Jail as arrangements are made for his transfer to Franklin County, where prosecutors will pursue the upgraded charges.

Editorial credit: Eric Glenn / Shutterstock.com