Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Pentagon lawyers to investigate Senator Mark Kelly for allegedly disclosing classified information about depleted U.S. weapons inventories, setting off a sharp public dispute over what was actually said and where.
Kelly, appearing on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday, detailed how American stockpiles of Tomahawk cruise missiles, Army Tactical Missile Systems, SM-3 interceptors, THAAD rounds and Patriot missiles have been severely depleted during operations against Iran. He warned that replenishing these arsenals could take years and potentially leave the U.S. vulnerable if China moves aggressively.
Hegseth fired back on social media, accusing Kelly of disclosing details from a classified Pentagon briefing. He suggested the senator may have violated his oath and announced the department's legal counsel would examine whether any laws were broken.
"Now he's blabbing on TV (falsely & dumbly) about a *CLASSIFIED* Pentagon briefing he received," Hegseth wrote on X. "Did he violate his oath...again?"
Kelly pushed back swiftly, arguing the information came directly from Hegseth himself during an open Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in late April, not from any classified briefing. The exchange happened under oath and in public view.
"That's not classified, it's a quote from you," Kelly responded. "This war is coming at a serious cost and you and the president still haven't explained to the American people what the goal is."
The April 30 hearing record shows Kelly asking Hegseth directly how long it would take to replenish munitions depleted by operations in Iran. Hegseth answered: "Months and years. Fast."
The clash represents the latest escalation in a months-long feud between the two men. Last fall, Kelly joined five fellow Democratic lawmakers, all veterans or former military and intelligence officials, in releasing a video reminding service members of their legal obligation to refuse unlawful orders. Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander and Jason Crow participated.
Hegseth responded aggressively, formally censuring Kelly, opening a Pentagon investigation, and moving to strip him of his retired captain rank. The defense secretary invoked a federal statute allowing retired service members to be recalled for potential court-martial proceedings.
A federal court blocked both actions, determining the Pentagon had likely violated Kelly's First Amendment rights and those of millions of military retirees. Hegseth appealed the ruling. Last week, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit heard oral arguments and showed little sympathy for the government's position.
President Trump had called the six lawmakers traitors who committed sedition and suggested execution, though he later attempted to walk back the remark. Following Trump's comments, Slotkin, a former CIA officer, received a bomb threat.
The Justice Department separately launched a criminal investigation into the video. A grand jury declined to bring charges in February.
The Pentagon has not disclosed the scope of its current legal review, potential consequences, or whether the investigation has already begun.
Author James Rodriguez: "Hegseth's move to refer Kelly to Pentagon lawyers over words the defense secretary himself spoke publicly under oath on Capitol Hill looks like prosecutorial overreach dressed up in national security concern."
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