Pentagon shake-up continues as John Ullyot, controversial spokesman who oversaw DEI purge, forced to resign amid conflicting accounts of his departure.
At a Glance
- Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot was asked to resign despite claiming he left voluntarily
- Ullyot had been involved in controversial DEI content removal that included taking down images of Jackie Robinson
- His departure marks the fourth among Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s inner circle this week
- Three other senior officials were removed due to an investigation into information leaks
- These departures are part of a broader purge of senior military officers in the Defense Department
Controversial Spokesman Exits Pentagon
Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot has been forced to resign from his position, according to a senior Defense official, marking the latest shake-up in the Department of Defense under President Trump’s administration. Ullyot, who had been hired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was notably involved in implementing controversial directives to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from military services’ online platforms. While Ullyot has claimed his departure was voluntary, Defense officials have contradicted this account, stating he was specifically asked to step down from his role.
The directive to scrub DEI content resulted in significant public backlash when the purge inadvertently removed images of historical figures like Jackie Robinson from military websites. This event highlighted growing tensions between the administration’s policy objectives and their implementation. Ullyot had been a key figure in shaping Secretary Hegseth’s communication strategy until this recent shift in personnel. His departure does not appear to be connected to a separate ongoing leak investigation within the department.
Part of Broader Pentagon Shake-up
Ullyot’s exit is the fourth among Hegseth’s former inner circle this week alone, indicating significant instability within the new Defense leadership team. Three other senior officials—Colin Carroll, Darin Selnick, and Dan Caldwell—were removed from their positions due to an investigation into information leaks within the department. The specific nature of these leaks remains unclear, but the swift action taken against these officials demonstrates the administration’s serious approach to information security concerns at the Pentagon.
Military Leadership Overhaul
These staff departures represent just one segment of a more extensive reorganization occurring throughout the Defense Department. The administration has initiated what some observers characterize as a purge of senior military officers, including high-ranking officials such as Gen. CQ Brown and Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield. This widespread reshuffling indicates Secretary Hegseth’s determination to align Pentagon personnel with the administration’s policy priorities, particularly regarding military culture and DEI initiatives.
The timing of these personnel changes comes as the Defense Department navigates the challenging transition between administrations, with new leadership teams working to implement revised policy directions. The controversy surrounding the DEI content removal demonstrates the difficulties in executing policy shifts within large government organizations, particularly when those changes touch on socially sensitive issues. The Pentagon now faces the task of rebuilding its communications team while maintaining operational effectiveness during this period of significant internal change.
