Lawyers for Sec Def Hegseth argued that military retirees were subject to freedom of speech restrictions

[BootinUp]

Max Boot substack note

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall:

This week, I heard something that shocked me. In a federal appeals court, lawyers for Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, argued that military retirees were subject to freedom of speech restrictions because of their connection to the military, and that if they didn’t like those restrictions, retirees could forfeit their pension and benefits. Let that sink in. The Trump administration expects the people who have put their lives on the line for America to cede one of their basic rights, or forfeit the retirement pay and benefits they have earned over decades of service. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/opinion/hegseth-kelly-military-free-speech.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

https://substack.com/@maxboot/note/c-256264126?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1uz6fn

[The Blue Flower]

1. More proof he thinks our troops are HIS little toy soldiers

Of course they don't respect him--he has no respect for them.

[dem4decades]

3. And yet they love him, it's so f-ed up.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

7. I am not so sure the troops love him

In fact, I think a majority dislike him and his bluster. This is especially true of senior non-commissioned officers and most of the brass. Whiskey Pete is digging his own grave. He just hasn't realized it yet.

[Jacson6]

2. Yeah, When I was in the military we were restricted to what we could say, especially to the press.

I don't think SCOTUS will buy into the idea that just because you are getting military retirement and/or VA disability the government can shut you up by taking it away. But there is no way to predict what the Fascist 6 judges will rule.

[Soul_of_Wit]

8. Active military does cede some rights while serving

All of that goes poof the second you become former military.

[Kid Berwyn]

4. Lower than snakes.

Hope the traitors get what they deserve real soon.

[twodogsbarking]

5. I am not a genius but I do know that it is not a good idea to piss off an old soldier.

Last edited Sat May 9, 2026, 04:34 PM - Edit history (1)

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. Or an old Marine.

[Soul_of_Wit]

6. Reminiscent of the swiftboating of John Kerry

This is the same Republican Party which failed to realize that serving your country honorably is the best justification possible for questioning your country's foreign policy.

[Dave Bowman]

9. Yeah, they were wearing these stupid Band-Aids. Despicable idiots.

[mwmisses4289]

10. Well, ts gotta find some excuse to put more of those federal dollars in his pocket, you know.

I mean come on, the poor man and his family are on the edge, and they could really use the money.

(Do I really need to add )

[Ol Janx Spirit]

11. The only faint brush with military service that the current SCOTUS has is...

...when Justice Alito served in the U.S. Army Reserve: He joined the Army ROTC at Princeton and served on active duty for three months in 1975 for training. He was honorably discharged as a captain in 1980.

Don't count on the current SCOTUS to find any love for military retirees that outweighs their love for destroying whatever MAGA wants destroyed in the name of making America a white supremacist state again.

We've seen this movie a few times now: Lower courts side with the Constitution; the SCOTUS sides with MAGA desires.

[DemocracyForever]

12. Hegseth can't handle the law

It's the law that people in the military can refuse to follow illegal orders. There's even video of Hegseth making this same point in 2016. This attack on Senator Kelly for stating the law is further proof of how unqualified and incompetent Hegseth is.

[pfitz59]

13. Hegseth is a 'passed-over' Major

Denied advancement due to extremist views. Unfit to seeve in any capacity.

[oasis]

15. Lawyers for Sec.Hegseth are just as full of shit

as he is, maybe more.