Pete Hegseth demands second Pentagon probe into Senator Mark Kelly

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for Senator Mark Kelly to be investigated for a second time over remarks about American weapons stockpiles during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Hegseth accused the Democratic senator of discussing information from a classified Pentagon briefing after Kelly appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation”.

Posting on social media on Sunday, Hegseth wrote: “Did he violate his oath…again? @DeptofWar legal counsel will review.”

Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, told CBS News that recent Pentagon briefings on Tomahawk missiles, ATACMS and Patriot systems revealed concerns levels of military depletion.

“We’ve expended a lot of munitions. And that means the American people are less safe,” Kelly said during the interview.

The latest dispute comes days after a federal appeals court appeared skeptical of Hegseth’s earlier attempt to punish Kelly over comments encouraging service members to refuse illegal orders.

Kelly sued Hegseth in January after the Pentagon threatened administrative action, including reducing his military rank and retirement pay.