Power Struggles and Leak Fallout: Pentagon’s Drama-Filled Week Ends in Firings and Finger-Pointing

The Pentagon has just wrapped up a week that could pass for the plot of a political drama—complete with leaks, firings, and yelling behind closed doors.

According to defense officials, three Pentagon aides were put on leave this week over alleged leaks, but the process was anything but transparent. The employees weren’t told what exactly they were accused of, didn’t get their rights read to them, and weren’t even asked to turn in their cell phones. At least one is already lawyering up. Can’t say I blame them—'trust the process' doesn’t exactly inspire confidence when the rules are this blurry.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s senior circle saw a shake-up as senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll (chief of staff to Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg) were all placed on leave and marched out of the building. By Friday, they were officially fired, joined by chief of staff Joe Kasper in the Pentagon’s version of musical chairs—except no one looked happy to be left standing.

The tension didn’t stop there. Another press aide, John Ullyot, decided to leave rather than take a demotion, making it clear he had no interest in playing second fiddle in the communications shop. Ullyot, who once led the public affairs office and famously took a swipe at former Joint Chiefs chair Mark Milley’s fitness, said he and Hegseth just couldn't find a new fit for him at the Department of Defense.

Rumors swirled about the real reasons behind the firings, but Pentagon officials insist it’s all about the leaks—nothing to do with foreign policy feuds over Iran or Israel, despite the timing. Officials say there’s evidence of unauthorized disclosures, possibly even classified info, and that’s what set off the investigation.

Insiders revealed that chief of staff Joe Kasper had a "deep vendetta" against the trio, even directing the Pentagon to start hunting for leaks using lie detector tests—a move that stoked more suspicion and, reportedly, sparked shouting matches in the front office. If only the Pentagon handed out popcorn during these internal dramas.

Legal experts weighed in, noting that being placed on paid leave isn’t disciplinary—it’s a step in the investigation process, and the employees will have a chance to defend themselves before any final judgment. Still, the spectacle of being publicly escorted out is a punishment in itself, at least in the court of public opinion.

Because these aides are political appointees, the Pentagon can fire them at will, investigation or not. If they’re found guilty of leaking, they could lose their security clearances or even face prosecution. If cleared, they might get their jobs back—though after this week, who would want them?

The Pentagon and the aides at the center of the storm stayed tight-lipped, declining to comment. Given the atmosphere, silence might actually be the wisest move.