UPDATE: Tensions escalated in a Pentagon briefing as Senator Mark Kelly confronted Pete Hegseth over a controversial investigation into Kelly’s remarks regarding military orders. The Pentagon has officially elevated its review into Kelly, following accusations related to a video urging military personnel to disobey potentially “illegal orders” from the Trump administration.
This urgent development comes as both Kelly and Hegseth exchanged pointed remarks during the briefing, highlighting the intense political climate surrounding U.S. military actions in Venezuela. A spokesperson from the Pentagon confirmed that the previous ‘review’ into Kelly has now transitioned to a formal investigation, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
During the heated exchange, Kelly accused Hegseth of dodging his questions about military strikes in the Caribbean by deflecting to the ongoing investigation. “He actually brought it up in the brief, oddly. Just some reiterating his talking points on this when I was specifically asking him questions about strikes,” Kelly stated to reporters.
Senator Chris Coons later clarified that the issue was raised “tangentially” in the context of discussing a September airstrike that resulted in the deaths of survivors from a suspected drug boat. Hegseth confirmed that video footage related to this incident would only be shared with members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, with Kelly set to view it on Wednesday.
Kelly, a former Navy captain, went on to express his concerns about the administration’s transparency regarding foreign affairs, particularly regarding its stance on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “This shows a lack of transparency that is troubling,” Kelly remarked, emphasizing the political ramifications of the Pentagon’s actions.
Senator Dan Sullivan, also a member of the Armed Services Committee, labeled Kelly’s video as “irresponsible,” yet he expressed skepticism about the necessity of the Pentagon’s investigation into Kelly’s comments.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2025 elections, this clash underscores the critical issues at stake. With military actions under scrutiny and political narratives unfolding, all eyes will remain on the developments stemming from this Pentagon briefing.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds, and watch for further reactions from both sides of the aisle as the investigation progresses.
