Pete Hegseth escalates clash with Trace Kelly and orders new investigation

The confrontation between Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and Democratic Senator from Arizona, Trace Kelly, escalated this weekend after the head of the Pentagon ordered the opening of a second investigation against the legislator. for allegedly disclosing classified information related to the US military arsenal and the war against Iran.

lThe new dispute occurred after Kelly appeared on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” where he expressed concern about the depletion of the reserves of advanced weapons used by the United States during the military campaign against Iran. The senator stated that the intensive use of Tomahawk missiles, Patriot interceptors and other strategic systems could affect the country’s military capacity in the event of a possible conflict with China.

Hegseth quickly reacted via social media, accusing Kelly of speaking publicly about a classified briefing received at the Pentagon.

“‘Captain’ Trace Kelly is at it again. Now he’s speaking on television about a classified Pentagon briefing. Did he violate his oath…again?” the official wrotewho also announced that Department of Defense lawyers will review the case.

Kelly responded almost immediately and denied revealing classified information. The senator maintained that the data mentioned on television came from a public hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee held days before, in which Hegseth himself acknowledged that it could take “years” before the United States fully recovers its inventories of advanced weapons.

“The secretary said that publicly before the Senate. It is not classified information,” Kelly responded, who also questioned the military and strategic cost of the war promoted by Donald Trump’s administration.

Political and military tensions increase in Washington

The new confrontation deepens an already deteriorated relationship between both officials. Kelly, a former Navy fighter pilot and former NASA astronaut, has been one of Hegseth’s most consistent critics. since the former Fox Knowledge commentator assumed the Pentagon’s attend an eye on position.

For months, the senator has questioned the Defense secretary’s experience and preparation to lead the US military, especially amid the expanding conflict in the Middle East.

For their part, Hegseth and close Trump allies have accused Kelly of promoting insubordination within the military.. The controversy began last November, when Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers participated in a video aimed at US military personnel reminding them that troops are not required to obey illegal orders.

Trump then described that message as “seditious,” while conservative sectors demanded sanctions against the Arizona senator. The Pentagon later opened an administrative investigation that included threats to reduce Kelly’s retired military rank and affect his pension as a Navy captain.

Currently, that case continues in federal courts after Kelly sued the Department of Defense on the grounds that the measures represent political retaliation and are unconstitutional.

Weapons depletion is worrying after war with Iran

Kelly’s remarks also reignited debate about the impact the war with Iran has had on U.S. strategic reserves.

During a public hearing on April 30, the senator warned that the Pentagon has used massive quantities of Patriot missiles and other advanced munitions during bombing and defensive operations in the Middle East.

Kelly noted that rebuilding those arsenals will take time because of limited U.S. industrial production capacity. Hegseth then agreed that the replacement would take years, although he assured that the Trump administration is already working on expanding factories and accelerating military manufacturing.

Recent reports from the Center for Strategic and World Overview and reports published by US media have warned of a significant reduction in precision missiles.Patriot interceptors and THAAD systems after months of military operations against Iran.

The dispute also occurs at a delicate moment for the Democratic Party, where Kelly is beginning to be mentioned as a possible presidential figure heading into the 2028 elections, while the White House toughens its national security discourse and maintains open investigations against critics of Trump’s military strategy.

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