“Pentagon Faces Leadership Crisis as Chief of Staff Joe Kasper Resigns”

The turmoil at the Pentagon deepened this week as Joe Kasper, Chief of Staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, announced his impending departure for a new role within the agency. This shake-up comes during a period of significant upheaval, with several high-profile aides being placed on leave amid an ongoing leak investigation.

In addition to Kasper’s exit, senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, were all terminated following the investigative probe. Sources familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the trio was let go on Friday.

The recent events compound a broader crisis at the Pentagon, fueled by Hegseth’s controversial release of sensitive information in a Signal chat with other national security leaders, as well as a contentious visit by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Caldwell, Carroll, Selnick, and Kasper have all declined to comment on the ongoing situation. However, two sources indicated that Caldwell and Selnick are considering legal action for wrongful termination.

Kasper had previously called for an investigation into Pentagon leaks back in March, which included sensitive military operational plans related to the Panama Canal, the deployment of a second carrier to the Red Sea, and intelligence activities concerning Ukraine. Observers within the Pentagon have noted a growing rivalry between Kasper and the recently dismissed advisers, suggesting that personal dynamics contributed to the upheaval. “Joe didn’t like those guys,” one defense official remarked, highlighting a clash of personalities that exacerbated tensions.

The departures leave Hegseth without a chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, or senior adviser in his office, raising concerns about the secretary’s leadership. “There is a complete meltdown in the building, and this is really reflecting on the secretary’s leadership,” a senior defense official stated. “Pete Hegseth has surrounded himself with some people who don’t have his interests at heart.”

This week’s terminations follow a significant purge of top military officers earlier this year, including former Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. “There probably will be more chaos,” warned another defense official, underscoring the precarious atmosphere within the agency. “It certainly reinforces the fear factor, awareness that no one’s job is safe.”

As the front office grapples with these departures, questions arise about Hegseth’s capacity to lead an organization of such magnitude, particularly given his relatively limited experience. “The front office has some really first-rate uniformed military staff, but there’s only so much they can pick up in an organization that big,” noted a former Trump administration official. “That kind of dysfunction compounds.”

Democratic leaders have seized upon the recent firings as further evidence of Hegseth’s inadequate leadership. Chris Meagher, who served as Assistant Defense Secretary for Public Affairs during the Biden administration, criticized Hegseth, stating, “Everyone knew that Pete Hegseth did not possess the leadership qualities, background, or experience to be Secretary of Defense. Everything we’ve seen since then — the firing of several American heroes due to perceived lack of loyalty, the sloppiness of Signalgate, the complete lack of transparency, and now several political staff being shown the door — has only confirmed he doesn’t have what it takes to lead.”