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Pentagon urged to probe Senator Kelly's munitions comments
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for an internal review of statements made by Democratic Senator Mark Kelly regarding the nation's weapons reserves, accusing Kelly of disclosing classified details during a television interview.
Allegations of classified disclosure
Hegseth took to social media platform X on Monday, questioning whether Kelly had breached his oath by discussing sensitive Pentagon briefings. "Did he violate his oath...again?" Hegseth wrote, referencing Kelly's appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation.
During the programme, Kelly expressed alarm over the depletion of US munitions stockpiles following the recent conflict with Iran. "It was shocking how deep we have gone into these magazines," he said, citing a Pentagon briefing that outlined specific ammunition levels.
Kelly denies wrongdoing, points to public hearing
In response, Kelly dismissed the allegations, stating that the same discussion had taken place in a public Senate hearing the previous week. "You said it would take 'years' to replenish some of these stockpiles," Kelly wrote on X, attaching a video clip of the hearing where Hegseth made the remark. "That's not classified, it's a quote from you."
The Arizona senator, a former US Navy captain, added that the ongoing conflict was imposing "a serious cost" and criticised the administration for failing to clarify its strategic objectives to the public.
The BBC has reached out to Kelly's office for additional comment but has yet to receive a response.
Pentagon deflects, federal court weighs separate case
When asked whether it was investigating Kelly's statements, the Pentagon directed inquiries back to Hegseth's social media post, declining further elaboration.
The call for a review follows a recent federal appeals court hearing, where judges appeared inclined to reject the Pentagon's attempt to penalise Kelly for earlier remarks. In November, Kelly and five other lawmakers released a video urging military personnel to refuse orders they deemed unlawful. The Trump administration sought legal action against them, but a district judge issued a temporary injunction in January blocking Kelly's demotion while his lawsuit proceeds.
The Pentagon has since appealed the injunction, prolonging the legal dispute.
Broader context of the dispute
Kelly's lawsuit, filed in January, alleges that Hegseth unlawfully targeted him in retaliation for criticising the former administration. The senator argues that the attempted demotion was politically motivated, a claim the Pentagon has contested.
The ongoing legal battle underscores tensions between lawmakers and the defence establishment over transparency, military accountability, and the boundaries of public discourse on national security matters.
