Pete Hegseth promises new review of Mark Kelly over his recent TV appearance: ‘Did he violate his oath…again’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged a new investigation into Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) after the senator’s latest television interview.

Kelly and Hegseth have clashed ever since Kelly joined a coterie of Democrats who served in the military and intelligence agencies in recording a video saying that U.S. servicemembers could refuse illegal orders.

The latest outburst from Hegseth came after Kelly spoke Sunday to CBS News’ Face the Nation about a classified briefing on the Iran War and U.S. weapons stockpiles.

Kelly said it was “shocking how deep we have gone into these magazines” amid the war in Iran and that it would take years to replenish the stockpiles of Tomahawks, Army Tactical Missile System weapons, Patriot missiles and other missile systems. The U.S. spent weeks sending missiles and other munitions into Iran before a ceasefire in the attacks.

In response, Hegseth lashed out.

open image in gallery

“Captain’ Mark Kelly strikes again,” Hegseth posted on X. “Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely & dumbly) about a *CLASSIFIED* Pentagon briefing he received. Did he violate his oath…again? @DeptofWar legal counsel will review.”

Kelly immediately shot back on social media, saying Kelly and Hegseth had this discussion in an open committee hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“We had this conversation in a public hearing a week ago and you said it would take ‘years’ to replenish some of these stockpiles,” Kelly said. “That’s not classified, it’s a quote from you. 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.”

Hegseth and Kelly have clashed repeatedly ever since Hegseth’s confirmation hearing. But their conflict became especially heated when Kelly joined Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) as well as Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Chris DeLuzio (D-Penn.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) in a video saying that U.S. servicemembers could refuse “illegal orders.”

The video enraged President Donald Trump, who called the words “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS” and called it “punishable by DEATH.”

open image in gallery

In response, Hegseth and the Pentagon moved to censure Kelly, a retired Naval officer who ended his career with the rank of captain, by cutting his pension and lowering his retirement rank.

But a federal judge blocked Hegseth’s efforts to punish Kelly, saying the Pentagon had no right to police the speech of retired service members. Hegseth later attempted to challenge the judicial order.

Kelly, for his part, sued Hegseth, calling his actions “in violation of my rights as an American, as a retired veteran, and as a United States Senator whose job is to hold him — and this or any administration — accountable.”

First elected to the Senate in 2020, Kelly has become a leading voice on national security within the Senate Democratic caucus. Former Vice President Kamala Harris considered him as a potential running mate in her failed 2024 campaign.

Hegseth’s targeting of Kelly has led to his profile rising. Last quarter, Kelly raised $12.8 million with more than $22 million in cash on hand, despite the fact he is not up for re-election until 2028.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies