Pentagon in Turmoil: Four Top Hegseth Staffers Exit

The Department of Defense faced a major leadership crisis Friday as four senior staff members departed Secretary Pete Hegseth’s inner circle amid an escalating investigation into unauthorized leaks. The extraordinary one-day exodus has reportedly plunged the Pentagon into what one official described as “complete meltdown” and raised questions about stability within one of the nation’s most critical security institutions.

Chief of Staff Joe Kasper, who ironically had ordered the leak investigation in March, is among those leaving the secretary’s team, though he will reportedly remain with the agency in a different capacity. Three other aides who had been placed on administrative leave earlier in the week were formally terminated: senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, who served as chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg.

Source: Gage Skidmore/Pete Hegseth/WikimediaCommons

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Behind the Scenes: Power Struggles and Shouting Matches

While officially connected to an ongoing leak investigation, multiple sources suggest the departures stem from deeper internal conflicts that had been brewing for months. According to Fox News, the tensions had escalated to “shouting matches in the front office” as factions formed within Hegseth’s leadership team.

One defense official told Fox News that Kasper had a “deep vendetta” against the three aides who were terminated, and that they had previously raised concerns about his leadership to Secretary Hegseth. The official suggested Kasper believed the three were trying to get him fired, creating a toxic environment within the department’s highest offices.

However, another Pentagon official disputed this characterization, insisting to Fox News that the administrative actions were strictly about unauthorized disclosures. “This is not about interpersonal conflict,” the official stated. “There is evidence of leaking. This is about unauthorized disclosures, up to and including classified information.”

Secretive Investigation Protocols Under Scrutiny

Questions have emerged about the procedures followed during the leak investigation that led to the staff departures. Multiple defense officials told Fox News that the three employees placed on leave were never informed of what specific leaks they were accused of facilitating, were not read their rights, and received no guidance on whom they could contact. They also reportedly were not asked to surrender their cellphones as part of the investigation.

This approach contrasts with Kasper’s March memo, which directed the Pentagon to investigate unauthorized disclosures aggressively, even authorizing the use of lie detector tests if deemed necessary. The seemingly hasty nature of the administrative actions has left some wondering whether proper protocols were followed.

Legal experts note that while such preliminary steps don’t constitute formal discipline, they can still have significant consequences. “They’ve been humiliated in the media to some extent. However, this happens every day in the federal government,” Sean Timmons, a legal expert in military and employment law, told Fox News.

“Complete Meltdown” Tests Hegseth’s Leadership

The upheaval comes at a particularly challenging time for Secretary Hegseth, who has been at the center of several controversies since taking office. According to Mediaite, an anonymous senior defense official offered a blunt assessment: “There is a complete meltdown in the building, and this is really reflecting on the secretary’s leadership. Pete Hegseth has surrounded himself with some people who don’t have his interests at heart.”

Another official predicted to Mediaite that “there probably will be more chaos,” suggesting the tumult may not be over. This instability raises concerns about the Pentagon’s ability to fulfill its critical national security functions efficiently during a time of heightened global tensions.

The leak investigation reportedly covers several high-profile disclosures, including information about hypothetical military plans for the Panama Canal, U.S. carrier movements in the Middle East, intelligence operations related to Ukraine, and a Pentagon briefing involving Elon Musk. Hegseth himself faced scrutiny last month after accidentally sharing plans for airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in a Signal group chat that inadvertently included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

Legal Challenges on the Horizon

At least two of the terminated officials may be preparing legal action. According to CBS News, sources indicate that discussions are underway about potentially suspending more officials as part of the widening investigation into leaks to news outlets.

Two sources told Mediaite that Carroll and Selnick intend to sue for wrongful termination, potentially extending the saga through lengthy legal proceedings. Such litigation could further distract the department’s leadership and potentially reveal additional details about the internal dysfunction that has apparently plagued Hegseth’s tenure.

As the Pentagon attempts to weather this crisis, questions remain about whether Hegseth can stabilize his leadership team and restore confidence in the department’s ability to safeguard sensitive information while executing its vital national security mission.

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