‘He doesn’t want to answer questions’: Senator confronts Defense Secretary in heated classified meeting, then reminds him of what he said in 2016

A private Senate meeting got tense when Senator Mark Kelly challenged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about recent military actions. Instead of answering, Hegseth brought up an investigation into Kelly himself. The meeting was classified and behind closed doors, with all U.S. senators present.

According to HuffPost, Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, was sitting close to Hegseth when he asked about U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats near Venezuela. Hegseth didn’t answer the question. Instead, he mentioned a video that Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers made, which the Pentagon is now investigating.

Kelly didn’t let that slide. He interrupted Hegseth and told him to stick to the actual topic. Kelly also reminded Hegseth that he had said similar things back in 2016, warning about President Trump possibly giving illegal orders.

Hegseth preferred putting on a show over giving real answers

Kelly later explained that he politely reminded Hegseth about his 2016 statements on the same issue. But Hegseth completely ignored that reminder. “He’s really big into the performance,” the senator said. “You know, even in the [secure room for classified briefings], he wants to perform. He doesn’t want to answer questions about these strikes on boats in Venezuela.”

The Pentagon is now taking its review of Kelly’s video much more seriously. What started as a simple review has turned into an official Command Investigation. This investigation will involve the Pentagon’s general counsel office. The video in question shows Kelly reminding service members that they must refuse to follow illegal orders. Critics have raised concerns about Hegseth’s approach to military authority in recent weeks.

The Pentagon has even threatened court-martial proceedings against Kelly. Kelly is a decorated U.S. Navy combat veteran and former astronaut. He called the investigation nonsense and pointed out the double standard. He’s being targeted for saying something lawful and true, the same thing Hegseth said multiple times in 2016.

Kelly’s lawyer plans to fight the investigation in court. He called it unconstitutional and an abuse of power. Some Republican senators are also worried about the investigation. Senator Lindsey Graham said he doesn’t think Kelly broke any laws. Senator Rand Paul called the investigation a terrible idea. The controversy comes amid new Pentagon policies under Hegseth that have drawn criticism.

The investigation controversy is happening alongside concerns about the military strikes themselves. Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Congress about the September 2 strikes against suspected drug runners.

The strikes killed two men who survived the initial attack. Senator Paul criticized the military actions after the classified briefing. He said nothing he heard justified killing people clinging to wreckage. Democrats want the Trump administration to release the full, unedited video of the strikes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer worries these actions could pull the U.S. into another endless war.