Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing intense scrutiny as reports emerge of him sharing sensitive military information in insecure group chats, leading to White House discussions about potential replacements. The resulting in-fighting over leaks has seen five senior advisers resign or be fired, with four new senior advisers recently promoted. Among them is Sean Parnell, who has been elevated to assistant to the secretary of defense and senior adviser.

The Pentagon’s recent staff changes, attributed to regular workforce adjustments by acting press secretary Kingsley Wilson, have raised eyebrows due to the removal of three top staffers accused of leaking information. The situation has prompted the White House to seek new advisers to help stabilize Hegseth’s office, though finding individuals willing to navigate the current disarray may prove challenging.

Notably, the newly appointed staff members lack extensive government experience. For instance, Parnell, a military veteran, previously ran for political office, while Fulcher and Weaver entered the Pentagon with backgrounds in tech and college, respectively. Wilson, the acting press secretary, previously faced criticism for past online comments.

The absence of a chief of staff at the Pentagon, a crucial role for managing demands on the defense secretary, could impede operations and decision-making. Calls for Hegseth’s replacement have come from members of Congress, with concerns raised about the lack of traditional press briefings from the Secretary and his team. The ongoing turmoil within Hegseth’s office underscores the challenges facing the Defense Department in maintaining efficient leadership and communication channels.