Ex-Pentagon spox warns of 'total chaos' under Hegseth's authority
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Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot warns of the dangers facing the US administration under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing dysfunction, leaks, and internal turmoil.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth watches as Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
John Ullyot, the recently resigned top spokesperson for the Pentagon, has issued a scathing critique of the Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth, describing the institution as being in "total chaos."
In an opinion piece published by Politico, Ullyot expressed concern over widespread dysfunction, backstabbing, and mismanagement within the department.​
"The building is in disarray under Hegseth’s leadership," Ullyot wrote. "The dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president, who deserves better from his senior leadership."​
Ullyot's departure came shortly after the dismissal of three top Pentagon officials: Senior Advisor Dan Caldwell, Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy Defense secretary.
He contends that these firings were based on false allegations of leaking sensitive information.​
Leaks and leadership concerns
The controversy intensified following reports that Hegseth shared sensitive military information regarding US strikes in Yemen via a private Signal chat group.
Participants in the chat included individuals without proper security clearance, such as Hegseth’s wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
This marks the second known instance of Hegseth using an unclassified Signal messaging thread to communicate sensitive national security information. The disclosure comes amid heightened scrutiny, as several senior Pentagon officials were removed last week during an internal probe into leaks.
In this second chat, Hegseth reportedly discussed details of the strike that closely mirrored information previously published by The Atlantic.
The incident has also prompted an investigation by the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General.​
Despite the administration's efforts to downplay the situation, Ullyot emphasized the gravity of the breach. "The last month has been a full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon, and it’s becoming a real problem for the administration," he stated.​
Broader implications
Ullyot, who previously served in communications roles at the National Security Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been a longtime supporter of President Trump's national security agenda. However, he now suggests that Hegseth's continued leadership may be untenable.​
"It’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer," Ullyot concluded.​
