Pentagon Leadership Crisis Intensifies Amid Leak Probes

Joe Kasper, chief of staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is leaving the Pentagon amid a wave of high-level resignations and firings linked to internal leak investigations and workplace turmoil. Kasper, who was initially expected to assume another Pentagon role, will instead return to government consulting but remain an adviser on select projects. The recent dismissal of senior advisers Darin Selnick, Dan Caldwell, and Colin Carroll has drawn claims of internal power struggles and criticism over transparency in the leak probe. Reports highlight a toxic environment and escalating tensions, including threats of polygraph tests over leaks about classified Pentagon activities. Former Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot described the situation as 'total chaos,' raising questions about Hegseth's future, though the White House continues to support him. Hegseth also faces scrutiny for allegedly using the Signal app to discuss sensitive military operations with unauthorized individuals.