Hegseth Fires Navy Chief of Staff Amid Pentagon Shake-Up

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Navy chief of staff Jon Harrison, who had worked to limit the role of the navy under secretary. The move follows a series of shake-ups, including cuts to top officers and backlash over Hegseth’s criticism of diversity programs.

Pete Hegseth, the United States defense secretary, took the political and military establishment by surprise on Friday when he abruptly fired the navy chief of staff, Jon Harrison. The move removed one of the key figures who had been central to the Trump administration’s push to overhaul and consolidate power within the Pentagon. Harrison, who only assumed the role in January, had become a pivotal player in implementing sweeping changes within the navy, particularly in its policy and budgeting structures.

Harrison worked closely with John Phelan, a wealthy Trump donor with no previous military experience who was confirmed as navy secretary in March. Together, the two had reportedly sought to sideline and weaken the traditional role of the navy under secretary, a position that historically carries significant influence over budgetary oversight and decision-making. Their maneuvering was seen by many observers as part of a broader effort to centralize control under political appointees loyal to the administration, while reducing the institutional independence of long-standing military offices.

The Pentagon officially confirmed Harrison’s dismissal in a statement released to Politico, the outlet that first broke the news. The statement read: “He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy. We are grateful for his service to the Department.” The carefully worded announcement, though polite, underscored the abrupt and highly political nature of the firing.

Harrison’s removal came just days after the Senate confirmed Hung Cao, a former naval officer and Republican Senate candidate in 2024, as the new navy under secretary. Politico had earlier reported that Harrison and Phelan had reassigned a number of top aides who were supposed to support Cao in his transition, a move widely interpreted as a deliberate attempt to curb the influence of the under secretary’s office. With Cao now officially installed, Harrison’s departure has been read by analysts as part of an ongoing power struggle at the highest levels of naval leadership.

This incident is the latest in a string of upheavals orchestrated under Hegseth’s leadership. Since taking office, Hegseth has overseen an aggressive campaign to reshape military leadership structures. In May, he issued a directive cutting the number of four-star generals and admirals by 20%, a move that alarmed many within the military hierarchy. Alongside Trump, Hegseth has dismissed more than half a dozen senior generals since January, including both of the only women who held four-star rank. One of the most dramatic shake-ups came in February when Hegseth fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., then chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had been only the second Black officer to hold that prestigious post.

The dismissals, combined with Harrison’s removal, are seen as part of a broader strategy by Trump and Hegseth to reassert civilian political dominance over military leadership, in some cases sidelining or purging officials who resist their vision. This approach has generated growing concern among defense analysts, lawmakers, and veterans who worry that institutional stability is being sacrificed for political loyalty.

Adding to the controversy, Hegseth delivered an unusual and fiery address to senior military officials earlier this week, during which he denounced diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. He accused the defense department of having become “the woke department” under previous leadership, a remark that sparked widespread outrage among many veterans and active-duty service members. The backlash highlighted a widening rift between Hegseth’s political allies, who support his agenda of dismantling what they view as progressive excesses within the military, and critics who argue that such rhetoric undermines morale, cohesion, and professionalism within the armed forces.

Hegseth, who before his appointment as defense secretary was a host on Fox News, has rapidly emerged as one of the most polarizing figures in the Pentagon. His blend of partisan loyalty, confrontational speeches, and sweeping personnel changes has left the military establishment in a state of flux, with many uncertain about the future direction of U.S. defense leadership under his stewardship.