Inside the Pentagon: A Former Pete Hegseth Aide Reveals the ‘Total Chaos’ Unfolding

Last Sunday, John Ullyot, a former aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, shared a tough critique about his old boss in an op-ed. He highlighted chaos within the Pentagon, mentioning leaked texts about airstrikes in Yemen and recent firings of key officials. Ullyot remarked that the situation has become a distraction for President Trump, who typically holds his staff accountable.

According to Ullyot, the past month has seen turmoil, including the removal of Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, and other senior aides. Following these dismissals, a group of fired officials expressed their disappointment, stating that they felt their reputations had been unfairly tarnished.

It seems this instability isn’t just an internal issue. Observers in Washington are watching closely, as public trust in leadership can waver in times of turmoil. A recent poll by Pew Research showed that only 34% of Americans feel confident in their military leadership, a significant dip that might reflect the current environment within the Pentagon.

Ullyot pointed out that several Pentagon officials had attempted to smear the reputation of his former colleagues, claiming they were fired for leaking information. He dismissed these allegations strongly. Although he left the Pentagon voluntarily, he expressed loyalty to Hegseth while acknowledging the serious mistakes made over the past month.

He wrote, “Even strong backers of the secretary like me must admit: the last month has been a full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon.” This statement resonates, considering how crucial stability is in military leadership, especially in times of conflict.

Adding to the complexity, The New York Times recently reported that Hegseth used his personal phone to send details of military operations in Yemen to a private chat group including his family and lawyer. This raises questions about security protocols in sensitive military communications and points to a history of established norms that are being challenged.

As these events unfold, they prompt conversations about leadership, accountability, and the overall health of the military establishment.

For further insights and coverage, you can explore the original op-ed on Politico and the report from The New York Times.

Check out this related article: California Marines Tragically Killed in Border Crash: A Heartbreaking Loss for Service Members