URGENT UPDATE: The Pentagon has officially escalated its investigation into Senator Mark Kelly following a heated exchange with Pete Hegseth during a classified briefing on September 26, 2023. This development raises serious questions about Kelly’s past statements urging military personnel to defy orders from the Trump administration, specifically regarding operations in Venezuela.
During the briefing, tensions flared as Kelly confronted Hegseth over his deflection of questions about military strikes in the Caribbean. Hegseth referenced a controversial video featuring Kelly and other former military officials, which has sparked a misconduct review. “He actually brought it up in the brief, oddly,” Kelly recounted to reporters. “He was reiterating his talking points when I was specifically asking him about strikes.”
Senator Chris Coons confirmed that the topic arose “tangentially” during the briefing, where Hegseth disclosed that footage of a September strike that killed survivors on a suspected Venezuelan drug boat will only be available to members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. Kelly, a member of that panel, is set to view the footage on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
In a striking rebuke of the administration’s transparency, Kelly accused the Pentagon of failing to adequately address the political implications of its operations in Venezuela. “This shows a lack of clarity on a foreign affairs issue that’s ignited a political firestorm,” he stated, alluding to broader concerns over former President Trump’s intent to enforce regime change against President Nicolás Maduro.
A spokesperson for Senator Dan Sullivan, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, criticized Kelly’s video as “irresponsible,” but noted that Sullivan does not believe the investigation into Kelly is a productive use of Pentagon resources.
As the investigation unfolds, the political ramifications could have far-reaching effects, especially as the 2024 election campaigns gain momentum. Kelly’s clash with Hegseth highlights the growing divide over military policy and governance, especially concerning past administrations’ actions.
WHAT’S NEXT: All eyes will be on the upcoming release of the classified footage and Kelly’s scheduled viewing. This investigation not only threatens to impact Kelly’s political future but also sheds light on the Pentagon’s handling of sensitive military operations.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
