In a recent op-ed for Politico Magazine, John Ullyot, the former chief spokesperson for the Department of Defense, described the Pentagon as being in a state of “total chaos” under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Ullyot, who resigned from his position last week, cited a series of controversies and internal dysfunctions that have plagued the department in recent weeks.
Ullyot’s critique comes amid revelations that Hegseth shared sensitive military information regarding planned airstrikes in Yemen through an unclassified Signal chat group. The group reportedly included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, raising concerns about the dissemination of sensitive information to individuals without proper security clearances.
The incident has led to significant leadership changes within the Pentagon, including the firing of three top officials: senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy Defense secretary. Ullyot claims these dismissals were based on false allegations of leaking sensitive information and have contributed to the department’s turmoil.
In his op-ed, Ullyot expressed concern that the ongoing dysfunction within the Pentagon is becoming a major distraction for President Trump and suggested that Hegseth may not remain in his position much longer. He emphasized the need for stable and competent leadership within the Department of Defense to effectively manage national security challenges.
The White House and the Department of Defense have not publicly responded to Ullyot’s statements. However, the situation has intensified scrutiny of Hegseth’s leadership and raised questions about the handling of classified information within the administration.
