A federal appeals court appeared doubtful Thursday about the Pentagon's legal authority to punish Senator Mark Kelly over public statements he made regarding military service members and unlawful orders.

During oral arguments lasting more than an hour, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit questioned the government's position in the case. The judges criticized the administration's efforts to censure Kelly, a retired Navy captain and Arizona Democrat.

The case centers on the government's attempt to take disciplinary action against Kelly over public remarks in which he urged service members to "refuse illegal orders." The senator made these statements in a video message that drew the attention of Pentagon officials.

Kelly, who served as a naval aviator before entering politics, has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration over his public communications with military personnel. The government argues it has authority to discipline retired officers for certain public statements, while Kelly's legal team contends such action would violate his First Amendment rights.

The appeals court's skeptical questioning suggests the judges may be inclined to limit the Pentagon's authority to punish retired military officers for their political speech. A ruling in the case could set important precedent for the boundaries between military discipline and civilian political expression.

The court did not indicate when it would issue a decision in the matter.