Pete Hegseth’s Inner Circle Divided Amid Pentagon Turmoil and Leadership Doubts

At the heart of the Pentagon’s leadership, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces an ongoing internal struggle marked by personality clashes, inexperience, and deep divisions within his closest team.

This fractured environment has sparked intense speculation among senior officials about Hegseth’s long-term future in President Trump’s Cabinet, especially after several incidents attracted scrutiny from the White House.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation describe a persistent atmosphere of tension and distrust that continues to disrupt the Department of Defense’s front office operations.

Despite efforts by Hegseth to consolidate his team following a sweeping purge of political appointees in April, a veneer of unity remains fragile.

Behind the scenes, unresolved conflicts and vacancies in key leadership roles exacerbate instability, fueling a near-constant state of anxiety over what political crisis might emerge next.

Current and former Pentagon officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic reveal that this discord is characterized by simmering tensions punctuated by occasional outbursts.

One described the environment as a “cold war that exists in between flash points,” underscoring the precariousness and unpredictability of relations among senior aides.

Perhaps the most visible and combustible tension is the feud between two senior advisers, Eric Geressy and Ricky Buria. Geressy, a retired command sergeant major whom Hegseth credits as a mentor during their joint Iraq deployment, has openly expressed frustration that Buria, a former Marine Corps pilot and Hegseth’s junior military aide, has been actively sidelining colleagues to increase his own influence within the administration.

This rivalry reached a peak in March during a Pacific trip when Geressy discovered he was excluded from certain meetings. He attributed this deliberate snub to Buria and reportedly confronted him over the matter.

The dispute between Geressy and Buria reflects broader concerns about the chaotic state of the Pentagon’s leadership under Hegseth.

Geressy has also expressed dismay over the use of unclassified messaging apps like Signal by top Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, to coordinate sensitive operations such as a bombing campaign in Yemen.

He views such communications as reckless, given the potential for leaks or security breaches.

Within the Pentagon and White House circles, Geressy has become increasingly vocal about Buria’s conduct. Pentagon insiders say Geressy believes Buria is overly self-important and has exploited his growing access to Hegseth to diminish the roles of others in the office.

The deep rift between these two senior figures symbolizes the turmoil undermining Hegseth’s efforts to lead the Defense Department effectively.

Hegseth’s troubles extend beyond this feud. He has faced several scandals that have drawn ire from the White House and Congress alike, placing him on the defensive and casting doubts on his ability to bring order to his office.

At a Memorial Day address, President Trump praised Hegseth’s dedication to service members and veterans, describing him as a “tough cookie” who has endured significant challenges.

Yet, insiders question how long Hegseth can maintain his position without resolving the internal strife that hampers his leadership.

Sean Parnell, Hegseth’s senior adviser and chief spokesman, downplayed the reported tensions, stating that workforce adjustments are a normal feature of any effective organization.

He emphasized that the defense secretary remains committed to placing the right people in the right positions to advance President Trump’s agenda.

Parnell insisted that Hegseth’s team is working together “in unison” to focus on the Defense Department’s core mission of warfighting and delivering results, dismissing media reports as mere “palace intrigue” irrelevant to the American public.

The clash between Geressy and Buria is particularly notable considering Hegseth’s repeated calls to instill a “warrior ethos” in the Pentagon. Geressy’s military background is emblematic of this ideal.

A decorated combat veteran, he served as Hegseth’s enlisted adviser during their deployment in Iraq and recently had his Silver Star upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military award for valor.

Hegseth has spoken highly of Geressy, calling him a life-changing influence and praising his leadership under fire.

Since joining the administration, Geressy has directed the Joint Service Interagency Advisory Group (JSIAG), an organization comprising Special Operations personnel and representatives from other agencies.

JSIAG’s primary mission includes countering Mexican drug cartels, a sensitive topic that has strained relations between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The group reportedly coordinates closely with Mexican officials on this issue.

Buria’s rise within the Pentagon has been rapid and controversial. Initially a junior military aide carried over from the Biden administration, he gained significant influence after Hegseth abruptly fired his senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short, in February.

Buria temporarily assumed the responsibilities of a three-star general, a move that irritated many senior military officers.

His decision to retire from the Marine Corps and transition to a senior civilian adviser role, reportedly supported by Hegseth’s wife Jennifer, has unsettled some defense officials, particularly given Jennifer Hegseth’s unorthodox involvement in Pentagon affairs.

Following a purge of senior political appointees accused of leaking classified information, including Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, internal discord intensified.

These aides jointly denied the accusations, alleging they were victims of baseless smears. Additionally, Hegseth’s first chief of staff, Joe Kasper, departed amid concerns about his ability to manage the fractious office, though he left on reportedly good terms.

Hegseth’s move to install Buria as chief of staff met resistance from White House officials citing Buria’s close ties to Biden administration figures and concerns over his experience. 

Though Buria currently serves as acting chief of staff, his frustration grows as the White House hesitates to make the appointment permanent. The deputy chief of staff position remains vacant following Selnick’s firing, with no public announcement on future appointees.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly declined to comment on long-term staffing plans but reaffirmed President Trump’s confidence in Hegseth’s leadership, emphasizing a focus on restoring military readiness, lethality, and excellence.

When asked about reports that Buria had disparaged Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Trump replied that he was unfamiliar with Buria but would investigate the allegations if true.

Geressy, increasingly disillusioned by the chaotic environment, has considered resigning but remains loyal to Hegseth and the team, according to officials.

In response to recent staff turnover, Hegseth appointed Buria and three others to senior adviser roles, surprising some Pentagon officials given their backgrounds.

Among the new advisers is Sean Parnell, a longtime Hegseth confidant and Army veteran who previously ran for Senate in Pennsylvania. While Parnell has taken on increased responsibilities, including managing public affairs, he has held only one press briefing since joining the team, avoiding scrutiny amid ongoing controversies.

Parnell expressed a desire to resume regular briefings but acknowledged a collective decision to wait until after June hearings on the Pentagon budget. These hearings promise to be contentious, with Democrats questioning Hegseth’s judgment and Trump closely monitoring his performance.

Kingsley Wilson, acting Pentagon press secretary, noted that Parnell’s expanded portfolio now includes operations, recruitment, acquisitions, and foreign negotiations.

Wilson will soon become the official Pentagon press secretary, though her appointment has drawn criticism due to past controversial social media remarks, including support for the discredited “Great Replacement” theory and derogatory comments about international figures.

Other recent senior advisers, Justin Fulcher and Patrick Weaver, have been criticized for their limited relevant experience. Fulcher, a former computer programmer and founder of a now-bankrupt telehealth startup, previously worked with Elon Musk’s U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service before joining the Pentagon.

Weaver served as an aide to Republican members of Congress and in the previous Trump administration but is not expected to assume leadership roles.

Hegseth maintains confidence in his team despite the upheaval, emphasizing that personnel changes are part of learning and growth. He perceives criticism as an attempt to undermine President Trump and welcomes the challenge.

The ongoing turmoil within the Pentagon highlights the difficult balance Hegseth must strike between advancing Trump’s agenda and managing a complex, often fractious team.

The future of his leadership remains uncertain as the department prepares for critical congressional scrutiny and battles internal discord that threatens to hamper its effectiveness.