Things are getting tense behind the scenes at the Pentagon.
In another twist to the ongoing shakeup under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, senior adviser Justin Fulcher has exited the department—just a few months after landing the role.
Fulcher Steps Down After Just Six Months in Government
Fulcher, who first joined the Defense Department as part of Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (or DOGE), had only been promoted to senior adviser in April.
But over the weekend, he confirmed he’s stepping away from his post.
According to Fulcher, this departure was all part of the plan.
“Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Department of Defense has been incredibly inspiring,” he said in a statement, adding that he had always intended to stay for just six months.
Official Statement Pushes Back on “Firing” Claims
Despite the timing and rumors, the Pentagon insists this wasn’t a firing.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stepped in to clarify that it’s “not fair” to characterize Fulcher’s exit as a dismissal, calling him “a great guy.”
A formal statement released on Fulcher’s behalf echoed the amicable tone: “As planned, I’ve completed six months of service in government to my country.”
Reports of Internal Drama Cast Doubts
But behind the scenes, it sounds like Fulcher’s time at the Pentagon wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.
According to The Washington Post, his departure comes after he was involved in two separate controversies within the department.
One particularly tense moment reportedly happened before Fulcher was even promoted.
Sources say he stormed out of a meeting with Yinon Weiss—the head of the DOGE team—and then escalated the issue directly to Hegseth.
Security Concerns and Shouting Matches
Here’s where it gets a little more dramatic.
Fulcher allegedly told Hegseth that he feared the Pentagon’s internal police—the Force Protection Agency—might be watching him. That conversation didn’t go over well.
According to insiders, Hegseth was visibly upset by the suggestion and confronted Weiss about the situation.
In fact, some say Hegseth even raised his voice during the exchange.
Weiss reportedly denied ever calling law enforcement but did admit to flagging concerns about Fulcher to a transition official within the department.
A Shakeup That Didn’t End There
Just days after the incident, Hegseth didn’t just promote Fulcher—he also fired three other senior advisers.
That move raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the kind of leadership shakeup Hegseth is orchestrating behind the scenes.
What Comes Next for the Pentagon?
With Fulcher out and the internal dynamics under scrutiny, it’s clear that Hegseth’s Pentagon is anything but settled.
The DOGE team, in particular, seems to be at the center of a lot of quiet power struggles and shifting alliances.
This story is still unfolding—and if recent events are any indication, there’s likely more to come.