Another Pentagon shake-up: Hegseth fires Navy chief of staff Jon Harrison, says report

In a surprising move, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly fired Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison on Friday (local time), removing a key aide who had been central to the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the Pentagon, Politico reported.

Harrison, appointed in January, had played a major role in overhauling the Navy’s policy and budgeting offices. Alongside John Phelan, a Trump mega-donor confirmed as Navy secretary in March, Harrison reportedly sought to limit the influence of the Navy under secretary, a position traditionally central to managing the branch’s budget.

The Pentagon confirmed Harrison’s departure in a statement to Politico, “He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy. We are grateful for his service to the Department.”

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Harrison’s firing comes just days after Hung Cao, a former naval officer and last year’s Republican Senate candidate, was confirmed as Navy under secretary. According to reports, Harrison and Phelan—who had no prior military experience—had reassigned several top aides meant to help Cao settle into his role, moves seen as limiting the under secretary’s influence.

Harrison’s exit follows months of upheaval under Hegseth. In May, he ordered a 20% cut in four-star generals and admirals, and he and Trump have fired more than six top generals since January, including the only two women serving as four-star officers. In February, Hegseth fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the second Black man to hold the post.

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Earlier this week, Hegseth delivered a controversial speech to senior military officials, attacking diversity and inclusion guidelines and calling the Defense Department “the woke department.” His remarks drew sharp criticism from veterans. Before becoming defense secretary, Hegseth was a Fox News host.