How outlets cover Pete Hegseth R · SECRETARY OF DEFENSE · May 7 – May 8, 2026
D.C. Circuit Hears Hegseth Appeal Over Discipline of Mark Kelly
The D.C. Circuit heard Hegseth’s appeal over efforts to discipline Mark Kelly for a video urging service members not to obey illegal orders. Coverage centers on the court’s apparent skepticism and the limits of discipline for Kelly’s speech.
Lead article · CNN · CENTERAppeals court appears poised to reject Hegseth's bid to punish Mark Kelly over 'illegal orders' videoCommunity verdict
10 VOTES- Readers of left-leaning coverage: 25% good look
- Readers of right-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
Outlets agree that the D.C. Circuit heard arguments over Hegseth’s effort to discipline Mark Kelly for a video urging service members not to obey illegal orders; judges appeared skeptical of the government’s position.
Center outlets emphasize the panel’s apparent inclination to uphold the ruling against discipline and present the case as a free-speech dispute. Right-leaning outlets frame the hearing more specifically as a test of Hegseth’s authority to punish Kelly for speech, while noting that one judge was more receptive to the government.
Outlets by lean
3 RATEDCompare by side
CNN emphasizes the panel’s apparent skepticism toward Hegseth’s effort and the case’s free-speech stakes.
How outlets portrayed Hegseth, by side
3 ARTICLESEach article counts once, however many sites carried it. Sides are each outlet’s published lean. How portrayal is read
Left: 0 favorable, 0 critical, 0 mixed, 0 neutral. Center: 0 favorable, 2 critical, 0 mixed, 0 neutral. Right: 0 favorable, 1 critical, 0 mixed, 0 neutral.
When each side covered it
MAY 7 – 8Articles per day by side. MAY 7: Left 0, Center 3, Right 0. MAY 8: Left 0, Center 0, Right 1.
Others in this story
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No left-leaning outlet has covered this yet. We’ll alert you when one does.No left-leaning outlet has covered this yet. We’ll alert you when one does, and when any new outlet covers it.