URGENT UPDATE: Tensions surged in Washington today as the Pentagon announced it is escalating its investigation into Senator Mark Kelly following a heated exchange with Pete Hegseth during a classified briefing. The confrontation arose amid a review of Kelly’s remarks urging military personnel to disobey alleged “illegal orders” from the Trump administration.
During the briefing, Kelly confronted Hegseth over a recent military strike in the Caribbean, but Hegseth deflected by referencing the ongoing misconduct review concerning Kelly’s past comments. “He actually brought it up in the brief, oddly,” Kelly said, highlighting Hegseth’s focus on his “talking points” instead of addressing critical military operations.
Senator Chris Coons confirmed that the matter was raised “tangentially” during the discussion, which included details about a September strike on a Venezuelan drug boat that resulted in casualties. The video footage of this incident will only be accessible to members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, of which Kelly is a member. He is set to view the footage on Wednesday.
The Pentagon’s inquiry into Kelly stems from his involvement in a controversial video where he and other former military officials encouraged troops to challenge potentially unlawful orders. Hegseth described the video as “irresponsible,” yet Senator Dan Sullivan, who also sits on the Armed Services Committee, expressed that the investigation into Kelly is not a prudent use of the Pentagon’s resources.
In a statement reflecting on the confrontation, Kelly noted, “Hey, these are the same views you had in 2016. Very eloquently, I said, like the way he expressed himself in 2016 about this same issue.” This remark underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding military operations and the perceived lack of transparency from the current administration regarding foreign affairs, particularly concerning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The escalating scrutiny of Kelly highlights broader implications for the Pentagon’s ongoing assessment of military conduct and communication. As the political landscape shifts in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the fallout from this incident could have significant repercussions for both Kelly and Hegseth.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Pentagon’s next steps. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.
