The Pentagon has seen significant shake-ups this week, as several high-ranking officials have either resigned or been placed on leave amid ongoing leak investigations and a broader power struggle within the department.
The developments have raised questions about the stability and efficiency of one of the most critical institutions in the U.S. government, as personnel changes continue to unfold.
Three Pentagon officials, including Colin Carroll, the chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Darin Selnick, the Defense Department’s deputy chief of staff, were all placed on administrative leave.
The move comes amid a wide-ranging investigation into a series of leaks of classified information that have rocked the department. These leaks reportedly involved sensitive military plans concerning the Panama Canal and the Red Sea, as well as discussions involving Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon about China and U.S. intelligence for Ukraine.
The leaks aren’t a new issue for the Pentagon or other federal agencies, as government officials often leak information to the press when they feel that poor decisions or policies need to be exposed.
While the department has dealt with leaks in the past, the current administration’s crackdown on them seems more intense and could have a chilling effect on the willingness of officials to speak out.
Adding to the turmoil, Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot also announced his resignation. Ullyot, who had served as the Pentagon’s top spokesman until February, explained that he had no interest in working under a more senior press secretary, an issue that led to his decision to leave.
Ullyot had been involved in several controversial decisions, including the restructuring of Pentagon news offices and defending the department’s removal of “DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) webpages.
But the most significant shake-up is the mass resignation of nearly the entire Defense Digital Service (DDS), the Pentagon team responsible for overseeing its technology development.
The staff, which has been at the forefront of the Pentagon’s digital modernization efforts, is resigning due to what they describe as their forced irrelevance within the department.
Jennifer Hay, the director of DDS, expressed her team’s frustration, explaining that they had stuck around in hopes of being called into action, only to see their role diminish under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This group’s departures reflect a larger shift in the Pentagon’s approach to technological innovation. DOGE has been taking over responsibilities previously managed by similar agencies, and DDS is expected to be absorbed into the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.
These changes have led to feelings of disillusionment and frustration among the staff, with many of them choosing to leave rather than remain in an environment where they feel sidelined.
The Pentagon has yet to respond to questions regarding the impact of such large-scale resignations from DDS, but these departures are indicative of deeper issues within the department, including concerns about leadership, relevancy, and the concentration of power.
This week’s developments at the Pentagon point to a deeper crisis within the Department of Defense, as leaks, resignations, and power struggles continue to shape its future.
With more personnel changes expected, it remains to be seen how the Pentagon will navigate these challenges and maintain its crucial role in safeguarding national security.