The Pentagon is experiencing significant upheaval following the resignation of Joe Kasper, Chief of Staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Kasper’s departure, set to occur in the coming days, coincides with a broader shake-up within the Department of Defense amid an ongoing investigation into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information.​
According to a report by Politico, Kasper will transition to a new position within the same agency. His exit follows the termination of three senior officials: Senior Adviser Dan Caldwell, Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, Chief of Staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. These dismissals are linked to a probe into leaks of classified materials, including military operational plans and details of high-level meetings.​
The investigation was initiated in March when Kasper signed a memorandum requesting a review of recent unauthorized disclosures. The memo called for measures such as polygraph examinations to identify the sources of the leaks. The situation has led to a leadership vacuum, leaving Secretary Hegseth without his chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, or senior adviser.​
A senior defense official described the atmosphere within the Pentagon as a “complete meltdown,” expressing concerns about Secretary Hegseth’s leadership. Critics have pointed to a series of missteps, including the mishandling of sensitive communications and controversial personnel decisions, as evidence of broader dysfunction within the department.​
The recent resignations and terminations add to the challenges faced by Secretary Hegseth, who has been under scrutiny since his appointment. Observers note that the current turmoil may have lasting implications for the Department of Defense’s operations and morale.
