Overview

• Justin Fulcher formally left the Defense Department on July 19 after completing his planned six months as a senior adviser to Secretary Hegseth.
• Fulcher had joined from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and was named to a new Pentagon leadership team in April following a leak investigation.
• His departure marks the sixth senior aide to exit Hegseth’s office since January, highlighting sustained turnover among top advisers.
• No successor has been announced for Fulcher’s role, leaving a key advisory position vacant as investigations continue into Signal leaks of sensitive military information.
• Bipartisan inquiries by the Pentagon Inspector General and potential Justice Department referrals are intensifying scrutiny of Hegseth’s management and communication practices.