‘He was very focused on the leaks’: Ousted Pentagon official says Hegseth ‘consumed’ by image and internal drama

A former high-ranking Pentagon official has made serious criticisms against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The ex-official claims Hegseth’s leadership style is too focused on internal investigations and managing public perception while neglecting more important defense priorities. These accusations come after the recent firing of several top advisors working under Hegseth, including the official making these claims.

Colin Carroll, who used to be the chief of staff for the Deputy Defense Secretary, told this to the Megyn Kelly podcast. Hegseth is overly concerned with finding and stopping leaks within the department. According to Carroll, this took up too much of Hegseth’s time and attention, pulling resources away from other urgent matters. Investigating leaks became a major priority for Hegseth’s team, which hurt their overall efficiency.

According to Politico, Carroll was fired along with other senior officials, including advisor Dan Caldwell and deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick. Around the same time, Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s former chief of staff, also left. Sources say these departures were the result of internal disagreements and a struggle for power within the department, which may have disrupted workflow and decision-making. Kasper was also accused of poor management.

Hegseth facing criticism from a former official

While Carroll admitted that Hegseth can be an effective leader in some situations, such as when persuading Republican lawmakers to support higher defense spending, he also described Hegseth as easily frustrated and too focused on small details in private meetings. This contrast suggests inconsistencies in how Hegseth manages the department.

Making the situation more complicated, President Trump publicly supported Hegseth, saying he trusted Hegseth to fix the internal problems and mentioning a positive conversation they had. This endorsement from the president suggests Hegseth has some political protection, despite the criticism of his leadership.

After the firings, Hegseth brought in new advisors, including a former military aide, a tech entrepreneur connected to cryptocurrency, and a former Capitol Hill and Department of Homeland Security official with little Pentagon experience. These choices signal a change in staff and possibly a shift in the department’s priorities. A Pentagon spokesperson credited recent improvements in military recruitment and overseas operations to Hegseth’s leadership, arguing that the media has misrepresented the situation while real progress is being made.