Kelly claims ‘pattern’ of political persecution amid Powell turmoil
Sen. Mark Kelly (D‑Ariz.) said the Justice Department’s recent criminal probe of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell fits a “pattern” of the Trump administration weaponizing government against political opponents. The DOJ inquiry focuses on whether Powell lied about the taxpayer‑funded renovation of the Fed headquarters and has drawn bipartisan criticism; Powell has denied wrongdoing and suggested the probe is linked to clashes with the white House over interest‑rate policy.
Kelly called the inquiry problematic and likened it to earlier actions he says targeted him. The senator – a retired Navy captain – was recently penalized by the Pentagon after appearing in a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders; Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to demote and censured him, calling the video “seditious.”
In response, kelly filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the administration’s actions are intended to intimidate and retaliate against a political opponent and to undermine legislative independence. The complaint contends Hegseth prejudged the matter on social media and that punishing Kelly for protected speech violates the first Amendment.
Kelly points to ‘pattern’ of persecution amid Powell investigation and Hegseth suit
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) suggested on Monday that the Trump administration has fallen into a “pattern” of weaponizing the government against political foes.
The Arizona Democrat’s statement came in response to questions about whether he believes the Department of Justice is being “weaponized” against the Federal Reserve, particularly after the DOJ recently launched a criminal investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell.
The investigation is related to concerns that Powell lied about or misrepresented the taxpayer-funded, multibillion-dollar renovation of the Fed headquarters building during congressional testimony. It has attracted bipartisan criticism as Powell maintains his innocence and has suggested that it is tied to his clashing with the White House over interest rates.
Kelly said he sees “huge issues with what they are doing to him [Powell].”
“It seems to be a pattern,” he added.
The comments from Kelly, who served 25 years in the Navy, follow the Pentagon’s penalization of the retired captain earlier this month for appearing in a controversial video urging U.S. military members to disobey illegal orders. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sought to demote Kelly and issued him a letter of censure, as the Trump administration argued the video marked “seditious behavior” and implied that the president “has given illegal orders, which he has not.”
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Kelly responded by filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. He has framed the actions from the White House as an effort to trample protections for legislative independence, and “intimidate” a political opponent with “a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me.” Hegseth “prejudged” the outcome of his investigation into the legality of the video by declaring Kelly’s statements “seditious” on social media prior to an investigation, according to the lawsuit.
“The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech,” the complaint reads. “That prohibition applies with particular force to legislators speaking on matters of public policy.”
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