Overview

• John Ullyot, who served briefly as Pentagon press secretary, will leave the Department of Defense at the end of this week after failing to agree on a new position with Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• Ullyot was replaced by Sean Parnell in March, just one month after his February appointment, as part of ongoing leadership changes in the Pentagon’s public affairs office.
• The removal and subsequent restoration of a webpage on Jackie Robinson’s military service sparked controversy over the Department of Defense’s approach to diversity and historical recognition.
• Ullyot initially declared that 'DEI is dead' at the Defense Department but later walked back his statement, emphasizing respect for veterans’ service regardless of race or ethnicity.
• The turnover reflects broader tensions under the Trump administration’s directive to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies.