US Defense Secretary Hegseth abruptly fired Navy Chief Jon Harrison in a major Pentagon shake-up….reports Asian Lite News
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly dismissed Jon Harrison, the Navy Chief of Staff, on Friday, removing a key aide who had played a central role in the Trump administration’s sweeping efforts to reshape the Pentagon. The move marks another dramatic shift in leadership within the US military under Hegseth, who has pursued controversial reforms since taking office.
Harrison, appointed in January, had been instrumental in implementing broad changes within the Navy’s policy and budgeting offices. Working alongside John Phelan, a major Trump donor confirmed as Navy Secretary in March, Harrison had reportedly sought to limit the influence of the Navy undersecretary — a position traditionally central to managing the branch’s budget and operations.
According to a statement from the Pentagon, reported first by Politico, Harrison’s removal was official and immediate. “He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy. We are grateful for his service to the Department,” the statement said.
Harrison’s departure comes just days after Hung Cao, a former naval officer and Republican Senate candidate, was confirmed as Navy Undersecretary. Politico previously reported that Harrison and Phelan, neither of whom had prior naval experience before their appointments, had reassigned several senior aides whose job was to help Cao transition into his role. These moves were widely seen as an attempt to curtail the influence of the undersecretary position.
The firing is part of a broader period of upheaval within the Pentagon under Hegseth’s leadership. Earlier this year, in May, Hegseth ordered a dramatic 20% reduction in the ranks of four-star generals and admirals. Since January, he and former President Donald Trump have dismissed more than half a dozen top military officers, including the only two women serving as four-star officers. In February, Hegseth fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making Brown the second Black officer to ever hold the position.
Hegseth’s tenure has also been marked by controversy over his public remarks. In a recent address to senior military leaders, Hegseth criticised diversity and inclusion policies, declaring that the Department of Defense had become “the woke department.” His comments drew sharp backlash from veterans and senior military figures, with many condemning his approach.
Before his appointment, Hegseth was a prominent television host on Fox News, where he was known for his outspoken commentary. His tenure as defense secretary has reflected a similarly combative style, and Harrison’s firing underscores the sweeping changes Hegseth is pursuing at the Pentagon.
