US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly after comments the Arizona Democrat made about American weapons stockpiles during the ongoing Iran conflict.
Hegseth accused the former Navy captain and astronaut of disclosing sensitive information after Kelly expressed concern on CBS’ “Face the Nation” about US military readiness and ammunition levels.
“Did he violate his oath…again? @DeptofWar legal counsel will review,” Hegseth wrote on social media on Sunday evening.
Kelly, who serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said Pentagon briefings on munitions such as Tomahawks, ATACMS, and Patriot missiles left him alarmed.
“We’ve expended a lot of munitions. And that means the American people are less safe. Whether it’s a conflict in the western Pacific with China or somewhere else in the world, the munitions are depleted,” Kelly told CBS News.
He added that he found it “shocking how deep we have gone into these magazines.”
In response to Hegseth’s accusation, Kelly posted a video of a recent Senate hearing and pushed back on claims that he revealed classified information.
“We had this conversation in a public hearing a week ago and you said it would take ‘years’ to replenish some of these stockpiles. That’s not classified, it’s a quote from you,” Kelly wrote, adding that the “war is coming at a serious cost.”
CNN reported that the Pentagon referred questions back to Hegseth’s social media post.
This is the second time Hegseth has moved to scrutinize Kelly, following a separate dispute over a video in which the senator urged US service members to refuse illegal orders. That video, released by Kelly and other lawmakers with military backgrounds, had previously drawn criticism from both Hegseth and President Donald Trump.
Kelly later sued Hegseth after the Pentagon announced disciplinary measures, including a potential downgrade of his retired rank and a formal censure. A federal judge previously ruled the move was “unconstitutionally retaliatory,” and a recent appeals court hearing suggested the Pentagon’s effort may be rejected.
Kelly’s latest comments come amid the ongoing US involvement in the Iran conflict. Reports indicate that US forces have significantly drawn down key missile inventories, raising concerns among defence analysts about future readiness.
A Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis suggested major reductions in missile stockpiles, including Precision Strike Missiles, THAAD interceptors, and Patriot air defence systems, reflecting the strain of sustained military operations.
