“This President is trying to silence us. I can’t think of anything more un-American.”
May 8, 2026 - On Thursday, following oral arguments on Kelly v. Hegseth at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Arizona 
Senator Mark Kelly delivered a statement alongside his wife, Gabby Giffords, and fellow military veterans.
Watch and download Kelly’s full remarks here.
“This President is trying to silence us. I can’t think of anything more un-American. Just like these folks behind me, I signed up to serve our country and protect our freedoms, including the freedom of speech. Most of us joined it to be part of something larger than ourselves. To serve and protect the country we love. […]
“Retired veterans have always been an important part of our democracy. And that’s exactly why I’m not backing down. After twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, I have given too much to this country to be silenced by an administration that does not want to be held accountable. So today, this was a day in court not just for me, but for the First Amendment rights of millions of us.
“Given what’s at stake, I appreciate the judges’ quick and careful consideration in this case. We have the Constitution and the law on our side, and I’ve never been more confident as I am today, standing here with my wife Gabby, my daughter Claire, the guy I flew most of my combat missions with, and these brave men and women who’ve served our country.”
Source: Senator Mark Kelly