Some good news

In a critical loss for the Justice Department, a federal grand jury on Tuesday refused to indict Democratic lawmakers who made a video reminding members of the military and intelligence community that they can refuse to carry out illegal orders.

  Mother Jones

Doesn't mean they'll drop it, but it's a good start.

The six Democrats featured in the 90-second clip are Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.)—and they all served in the military or intelligence agencies. The indictment was sought by DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump and a former Fox News host.

Judge Box of Wine is what I hear her called sometimes.

The video, which was posted back in November, was met with an avalanche of threats and attempted retaliation from President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and—now—Pirro and the DOJ.

[...]

In early January, Hegseth censured Kelly, alleging that the retired Navy combat pilot and astronaut had engaged in “seditious” conduct. Kelly quickly sued Hegseth for violating his constitutional rights.

And, yesterday, a judge ruled in that case.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon (a George W Bush nominee) ruled that Pentagon officials not only violated Kelly’s First Amendment free speech rights, but they also “threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees.” The judge invoked an old-fashioned rebuke -- “Horsefeathers!” -- in response to the government’s claim that Kelly is trying to exempt himself from the rules of military justice.

[...]

Leon’s order prohibits the Pentagon from implementing or enforcing Kelly’s punishment while his lawsuit is pending. The judge instructed the parties to provide him with an update in 30 days.

[...]

[A] Washington grand jury declined to indict the lawmakers over the video.

[...]

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin has said she has been told the Justice Department could seek a new indictment as soon as Friday. Kelly and Slotkin said at a news conference Wednesday that they are keeping all legal options on the table regarding potentially suing the administration.

[...]

[DOD chief Pete] Hegseth said Kelly’s censure was “a necessary process step” to proceedings that could result in a demotion from the senator’s retired rank of captain and subsequent reduction in retirement pay.

[...]

Hegseth said the government will appeal Leon’s decision. “Sedition is sedition, ‘Captain,’” he posted on his X account, referring to Kelly by his rank at retirement.

  AP News

What a dunce.

The Pentagon began investigating Kelly in late November, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment. Hegseth has said Kelly was the only one of the six lawmakers to be investigated because he is the only one who formally retired from the military and still falls under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction.

[...]

[Judge] Leon said that Kelly “is likely to succeed on the merits” of his free speech claim. “He has also shown irreparable harm, and the balance of the equities fall decidedly in his favor.”

UPDATE 02/24/2026:

 

Marjorie Taylor Greene is batshit crazy

“President Trump will remain in office. This Hail Mary attempt to remove him from the White House is an attack on every American who voted for him,” Taylor Greene wrote in her post, which has since been flagged by Twitter. “Democrats must be held accountable for the political violence inspired by their rhetoric.”

Her tweet comes one week after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol amid Congress’ certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, resulting in the deaths of at least five people — including a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

[...]

Greene, a freshman congresswoman elected last November, has previously endorsed elements of the dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory and made Islamophobic comments. She has won praise from Trump, who has called her a “future Republican star.”

[...]

“There are, unfortunately, a handful of members of Congress — and Mrs. Taylor Green is just one of them — who are morally bankrupt,” [Jason] Crow (D-Colo.) told CNN in an interview. “They are depraved, and they’re frankly dangerous individuals.”

  Politico

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

NOW they're paying attention

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Impeachment trial

I won't be watching much of this farce, but I did want to catch Adam Schiff's opening, which is good as Adam Schiff always is.  And what he truly excels at is rebuttal, which he did beautifully after Jay Sekulow repeatedly made a fool of himself.

I also wanted to catch Jason Crow, because this is the first time I've ever heard him.  I thought his delivery was unpolished, and his speaking voice is not compelling, which are too bad because his remarks were excellent, and his use of repetitive phrases was perfect.  An orator delivering them would have been impressive.

Sadly, none of it will matter.