Here’s what happened now.
The Pentagon is facing growing chaos as another key figure under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stepped down. Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s former chief of staff, is the latest high-ranking official to leave amid a fierce internal battle over loyalty, leadership, and national security.
Sources confirm that Kasper, who had initially planned to remain at the Department of Defense in a new role, is now heading to the private sector instead. His decision comes after a series of high-profile firings and a leak investigation that has rocked the Pentagon to its core.
Pentagon Power Struggle Leads to Major Shakeup
This latest resignation follows the sudden removal of Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, all top advisers who were escorted out of the building last week. Their exit came shortly after Kasper launched an investigation into leaks of classified information—specifically the exposure of Elon Musk’s secret visit to the Pentagon earlier this year.
Defense Secretary Hegseth, a strong advocate for transparency and accountability, was reportedly outraged that details about Musk’s classified meeting were leaked to liberal media outlets like The New York Times.
In his March memo, Kasper warned that polygraph tests could be used to track down those responsible for leaking sensitive defense information, stressing that all measures would comply with the law.
Whether any staff members were subjected to polygraphs remains unclear, but the threat alone sent shockwaves through Pentagon leadership.
Fired Officials Fire Back: Claim Slander and Smears
Following their dismissal, Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll issued a joint statement blasting “unnamed Pentagon officials” for tarnishing their reputations. They pointed out that all three had served their country with honor, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and denied any involvement in leaking sensitive materials.
“We understand the importance of information security and worked tirelessly to protect it,” the group stated in a public post, adding they were never even told what they were accused of.
Inside the Pentagon Turf War
Insiders reveal that the crisis may not have been purely about leaks. According to sources, tensions had been brewing between Kasper and other senior advisers over control of major responsibilities—including official appointments, travel planning, and high-level meetings.
Some suggest Kasper felt increasingly sidelined as more authority was shifted to Caldwell and Selnick, leading to a bitter internal “turf war” that ultimately exploded into public view.
A Wake-Up Call for Defense Leadership
As President Trump continues to push for strong, principled leadership across all levels of government, the Pentagon’s internal struggles highlight the urgent need to clean house and restore order. Conservatives have long warned about the dangers of bureaucratic infighting weakening America’s defense capabilities.
With national security hanging in the balance, the American people deserve a Department of Defense that puts country first—not petty power games.