Overview
- The Pentagon confirmed that Jon Harrison was ousted as chief of staff to the Navy secretary, saying he will no longer serve in the role and thanking him for his service.
- Harrison’s dismissal came days after the Senate confirmed Navy undersecretary Hung Cao, following reports that Harrison and Navy Secretary John Phelan had sought to limit the undersecretary’s influence.
- The firing follows the Sept. 30 Quantico meeting that drew roughly 800 senior officers, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attacked DEI policies and President Trump described domestic unrest as a “war from within” while suggesting using cities as military “training grounds.”
- Retired commanders and experts warned that the Quantico speeches risk eroding the military’s apolitical norms and morale, calling the event a political spectacle rather than a strategic briefing.
- Hegseth’s broader shake-up continues, including an order to cut 20% of four-star billets, multiple high-level firings this year, and a push to overhaul Pentagon inspector general processes even as he faces an IG probe over his use of Signal.