A bombshell op-ed has rocked the Pentagon, with a former aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth painting a picture of utter chaos within the Department. John Ullyot, until recently a top Pentagon spokesman, penned a scathing critique of his former boss in Politico, alleging a month of dysfunction marked by leaks, mass firings, and a significant distraction for President Trump.
Ullyot describes a situation spiraling out of control, citing the leaking of sensitive operational plans and the abrupt dismissals of several high-ranking officials. Among those fired were Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, along with deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, senior advisor Dan Caldwell, and the chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense, Colin Carroll. The firings, according to Ullyot, were followed by attempts to smear the departing aides through anonymous leaks to the press, accusing them of leaking sensitive information – claims Ullyot vehemently denies.
Adding fuel to the fire, Ullyot’s op-ed came on the heels of a New York Times report detailing Hegseth’s use of a personal Signal chat to share information about military operations in Yemen with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This revelation further fuels concerns about security breaches and questionable judgment at the highest levels of the Department of Defense. Two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the Times’ reporting to NBC News.
While Ullyot describes himself as previously loyal to Hegseth, he states that even staunch supporters are forced to acknowledge the significant problems within the Pentagon. He suggests the situation has become a major problem for the Trump administration, leading many to question Hegseth’s future as Defense Secretary. The Pentagon has yet to respond to requests for comment on these serious allegations.
Ullyot’s departure from the Pentagon adds another layer to the unfolding drama. He claims he left after turning down a position offered by Hegseth, choosing to leave rather than participate in what he views as a climate of dysfunction and misinformation. This insider account adds weight to the growing concerns about the stability and competence of leadership within the Department of Defense under Secretary Hegseth.
