1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent to urge immediate congressional oversight regarding recent threats of retaliation by executive branch officials against retired service members for lawful political speech. Senator Mark Kelly did not commit any illegal act. He did not disclose classified information, violate military law, or engage in conduct prohibited by federal statute. His statements were political opinions criticizing government officials. That speech is lawful and explicitly protected by the First Amendment. Retired service members are civilians. They retain their constitutional rights, including the right to speak freely about their government. Any attempt to threaten censure, loss of rank, or prosecution for lawful speech is an abuse of authority and a direct violation of constitutional principles. Congress has both the authority and the obligation to act when executive officials misuse their power to intimidate critics. When no crime has been committed, but power is used to silence dissent, impeachment is not partisan. It is a constitutional safeguard. I respectfully urge Congress to open immediate oversight hearings and pursue impeachment proceedings against Secretary Pete Hegseth for abuse of power and violations of civil liberties. Allowing this conduct to go unchecked endangers free speech for all Americans, not only those who previously served. The Constitution does not permit punishment for disagreement. Congress must defend that principle now