Members of Count Every Hero and other retired general and flag officers file an amicus brief in Kelly v. Hegseth, expressing concern that the punishment of a veteran for protected political speech violates the First Amendment and is harmful to healthy political discourse.
Washington, DC — Forty-one former service secretaries and retired general and flag officers—including members of Count Every Hero—filed an amicus brief in Kelly v. Hegseth in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, warning that disciplining Senator Mark Kelly for engaging in protected, political speech violates the First Amendment and would chill public participation of veterans around the country.
In the brief, these leaders emphasized that “diverse viewpoints are critical to a healthy and free marketplace of ideas, and silencing veteran voices would be especially harmful—depriving the public of experienced and informed views on critical matters of national security.”
The former service secretaries and retired admirals and generals noted that veteran participation in public life is essential to democratic self government, emphasizing that the Constitution broadly protects the right to speak on issues of public concern. The leaders also highlighted the value of retired service members’ “distinct perspective and specialized expertise” to public discourse. Additionally, the leaders rightfully identified that each branch of the federal government in addition to state and local governments, businesses, the press, universities, and civic organizations all include veterans who actively participate in civic society and public policy. Attempts to punish protected speech jeopardizes this cherished tradition of veteran public service and civic participation.
Read the full amicus brief here.