Pentagon Escalates Investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly Amid Clash

UPDATE: The Pentagon has officially escalated its investigation into Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain, following a heated exchange with Pete Hegseth during a classified briefing. This urgent development comes amid a growing controversy over a video in which Kelly and other veterans urged troops to defy potentially “illegal orders” from the Trump administration.

In a striking moment during the briefing, Kelly confronted Hegseth regarding military strikes in the Caribbean, only to have Hegseth deflect the conversation to the ongoing investigation, heightening tensions. “He actually brought it up in the brief, oddly,” Kelly recounted. “This shows this is very performative for him, even in front of a group of senators.”

The escalating situation has caught the attention of lawmakers, with Senator Chris Coons confirming the issue emerged “tangentially” during the session. Hegseth acknowledged a September strike that resulted in the deaths of survivors from a Venezuelan drug boat. Notably, footage of this operation has been restricted to members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, with Kelly set to view it on Wednesday.

Kelly criticized the administration for its lack of transparency regarding the military operations, which have sparked significant political debate over Nicolás Maduro‘s regime in Venezuela. “By the way, you were specifically speaking about this president,” Kelly added, referring to Hegseth’s previous statements on similar issues.

Senator Dan Sullivan, another member of the Armed Services Committee, labeled Kelly’s video as “irresponsible” but stated he does not support the Pentagon’s investigation into the senator. This division among lawmakers underscores the political ramifications of the ongoing scrutiny.

This developing story highlights not only the tensions within Congress but also the critical implications for U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the actions of the Pentagon regarding both Kelly and Hegseth.

Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves, and watch for reactions from both sides of the aisle as the political landscape surrounding military engagement in Venezuela continues to shift.