Hegseth Refers Sen. Mark Kelly’s Comments on Depleted Munitions Stockpiles to Pentagon Legal Review

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Pentagon legal counsel will review comments Sen. U.S. munitions stockpiles following a classified briefing. Kelly, a Democratic senator from Arizona, a retired Navy pilot and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, appeared on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on May 10, 2026.

He stated that the Pentagon has provided detailed briefings on Tomahawks, ATACMS, SM-3s, THAAD rounds, and Patriot rounds. U.S. has gone into these munitions magazines.

The senator stated that it will take years to replenish the depleted munitions stockpiles. U.S. conflict with China. The war with Iran has been ongoing for more than two months as of May 2026.

Mark Kelly's comments. Kelly responded on X that the information was discussed in a public hearing a week earlier where Hegseth said it would take years to replenish stockpiles.

Kelly stated on X that the information is not classified and is a direct quote from Hegseth. The exchange is the latest development in a months-long dispute between Pete Hegseth and Sen. Mark Kelly over a video Kelly made with other Democratic lawmakers.

U.S. military members and intelligence community professionals to refuse illegal orders. The lawmakers in the video were Sens.

Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Reps. Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow. " A grand jury declined to sign off on charges against the six Democratic lawmakers in February 2026.

In November 2025, the Pentagon launched an investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly regarding possible recall to active duty for court-martial. Mark Kelly and attempted to retroactively demote him from captain.

A federal court blocked the Pentagon from demoting Sen. Mark Kelly and ruled that the Pentagon likely violated his First Amendment rights and those of millions of military retirees when it censured him on January 5, 2026. Pete Hegseth appealed the federal court ruling blocking Kelly's demotion.

U.S. C. Circuit heard oral arguments last week on Hegseth’s attempt to punish Kelly and appeared largely skeptical. Sen. " President Donald Trump accused the six Democratic lawmakers of being traitors who engaged in sedition and said they should be in jail.

President Donald Trump suggested the lawmakers should be executed over the video but later attempted to walk back the comment. Sen. Elissa Slotkin was targeted with a bomb threat days after the video and Trump’s statements.

U.S. 5 years ago. 5 trillion in defense spending.