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Pete HegsethR · SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
How outlets cover Hegseth · Feb 12 – Feb 13, 2026

Judge Blocks Pentagon Action Against Sen. Mark Kelly

A judge blocked Hegseth’s effort to punish Sen. Mark Kelly. Coverage frames the ruling as protecting Kelly’s rights; one article also reports Hegseth’s appeal and sedition accusation.

Lead article · CNN International · CENTERJudge says Pete Hegseth is unlawfully retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly over 'illegal orders' video
Image · CNN International
ARTICLES
27
OUTLETS
21
AVG CRED
72HIGH
AVG BAL
56SOME TILT

Community verdict

12 VOTES
How does this story look for
Pete Hegseth R · SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
● OPEN
  • Readers of left-leaning coverage: 50% good look
  • Readers of right-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
tl;drSUMMARY ACROSS OUTLETS

A federal judge blocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to punish Sen. Mark Kelly.

Left-leaning outlets frame the ruling as protecting Kelly’s First Amendment rights from retaliation; one also reports Hegseth’s planned appeal and his characterization of Kelly’s conduct as sedition.

Outlets by lean

16 RATED · 5 UNRATED

Compare by side

THE FRAMEAVG CRED 62
“Protecting Kelly’s First Amendment rights”

Coverage presents Hegseth’s effort as infringing Kelly’s First Amendment rights; one article also reports Hegseth’s appeal and his claim that Kelly’s conduct was sedition.

4 LEFT ARTICLES
Democracy Now!FEB 13 · 1:45 PM ET
Judge Rules Hegseth "Trampled" Sen. Mark Kelly's First Amendment Rights in Retribution EffortA federal judge blocked Hegseth’s effort to reduce Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay.CRED 74BAL 40 PORTRAYS HEGSETH: CRITICAL
TPM – Talking Points MemoFEB 12 · 4:15 PM ET
Judge Rules Against Hegseth, Finding That He 'Trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment Freedoms'A judge blocked Hegseth’s effort to reduce Kelly’s rank and retirement benefits, finding that it violated Kelly’s rights.CRED 74BAL 45 PORTRAYS HEGSETH: CRITICAL
Raw StoryFEB 12 · 1:00 PM ET
Pete Hegseth handed loss as GOP-appointed judge blocks move to reduce veteran Dem's rankThe judge blocked the Pentagon’s effort to punish Kelly, which the article presents as a loss for Hegseth.CRED 57BAL 45 PORTRAYS HEGSETH: CRITICAL
UNRATED · 5 · NOT ON THE SPECTRUM

How outlets portrayed Hegseth

Each article counts once, however many sites carried it. Sides are each outlet’s published lean. How portrayal is read

Left: 0 favorable, 4 critical, 0 mixed, 0 neutral. Center: 0 favorable, 7 critical, 0 mixed, 3 neutral. Right: 0 favorable, 0 critical, 0 mixed, 2 neutral.

5 UNRATED ARTICLES NOT SHOWN

When each side covered it

Articles per day by side. FEB 12: Left 2, Center 14, Right 2. FEB 13: Left 2, Center 0, Right 0.

Others in this story

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