Overview

• Pentagon officials confirmed that Jon Harrison was removed as Navy chief of staff, saying he will no longer serve in the role.
• Reports note the ouster came days after the Senate confirmed Navy undersecretary Hung Cao, following tensions over internal staffing and influence within the department.
• Roughly 800 senior officers were summoned to Quantico, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attacked DEI programs and promoted a stricter 'warrior ethos.'
• President Donald Trump told the assembled commanders the nation faced 'a war from within' and suggested using U.S. cities as military 'training grounds.'
• Retired officers and analysts warned the rhetoric and secrecy risk politicizing the force, as Hegseth advances broader shakeups including cutting four-star billets and overhauling inspector general processes.