In a surprising turn of events, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial chief of staff, Joe Kasper, is set to leave the Pentagon.
His departure marks the fifth high-ranking official to exit the administration within the span of just one week.
Kasper, who had initially been expected to take on a different role within the Pentagon, will instead step down and return to government consulting, as revealed in an interview with Politico.
A Rapid Shift in Leadership
Kasper’s exit follows the recent departures of several top officials from Hegseth’s team.
Senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, the chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, all left the department last week.
This wave of resignations has added to the turmoil surrounding Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon.
The news of Kasper’s departure comes as a stark contrast to Hegseth’s earlier statements of support.
Just days before, in an interview on Fox and Friends, Hegseth had praised Kasper, calling him a “great guy” and a “great American.”
He even insisted that Kasper wasn’t going anywhere, stating, “He’s staying with us, going to be in a slightly different role, but he’s not fired.”
The Allegations Surrounding Kasper
Reports have surfaced alleging that Kasper fostered a toxic work environment during his time at the Pentagon.
According to Politico, sources close to Kasper’s tenure claim that he made inappropriate comments during meetings, including a joke about taking an “enormous s**t.”
Additionally, Kasper is accused of orchestrating the departure of several of Hegseth’s other loyal advisors, accusing them of leaking sensitive information.
One such leak involved details of a trip to the Panama Canal, as well as a China briefing with Elon Musk that was canceled by President Trump himself.
These leaks reportedly angered Hegseth, who expressed his frustration on Fox News.
He stated, “I don’t have time for leakers” and criticized the press for focusing on stories from disgruntled former employees.
Hegseth Responds to Criticism
The turbulence surrounding Hegseth’s leadership has not gone unnoticed.
Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot published an op-ed in Politico, claiming that Hegseth’s first month in office was marked by “total chaos” and suggesting that his time at the Pentagon might soon come to an end.
Hegseth was quick to dismiss the criticism, questioning Ullyot’s professionalism and explaining that his departure was part of the department’s necessary adjustments.
Despite the internal challenges and leaks, Hegseth remains resolute in his position.
He acknowledged that the investigation into the leaks had caused disruption, but he reaffirmed his commitment to national security and the integrity of the investigation.
“It’s not my job to protect people. It’s my job to protect national security,” he said.
What Lies Ahead?
Hegseth’s determination to stay in his role as Defense Secretary is clear.
He expressed his gratitude for the president’s support and emphasized the importance of the job for the American people.
As the Pentagon continues to deal with internal upheaval, only time will tell how these leadership changes will affect the department’s stability moving forward.