Overview

• John Ullyot, former Pentagon spokesperson, will step down at the end of this week after being asked to resign by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office.
• Ullyot’s resignation stems from an inability to agree on a new role following his replacement by Sean Parnell as chief spokesperson in March.
• His tenure included overseeing a directive to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content, which drew public criticism after Jackie Robinson’s page was briefly taken offline.
• The resignation is distinct from an ongoing Pentagon investigation into unauthorized leaks, which has led to the suspension of three senior aides this week.
• Sean Parnell, a former U.S. Army ranger and ex-Senate candidate, has assumed the role of Pentagon chief spokesperson, signaling a shift in the department’s communications strategy.