WP: Enduring rifts within Pentagon chief's inner circle spark doubts about his tenure

The Pentagon’s top leadership under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is gripped by internal dysfunction and interpersonal clashes that have raised concerns inside the White House over his long-term viability in the Cabinet post.

According to seven current and former U.S. officials, the discord is driven by personality conflicts, strategic infighting, and political paranoia in Hegseth’s inner circle, according to an article published by The Washington Post.

The most bitter feud centres around Eric Geressy, a retired command sergeant major and longtime confidant of Hegseth, and Ricky Buria, a former Marine Corps officer whose rapid ascent into a senior advisory role has bred resentment. Sources say Geressy accused Buria of undercutting colleagues and manipulating access to the secretary to consolidate power — a charge that came to a head during a March trip to the Pacific when Geressy was excluded from key meetings.

The tensions flared amid broader instability, including Hegseth’s abrupt firing of senior staffers and controversial use of the unclassified Signal app for operational coordination. The so-called “Signalgate” incident has drawn scrutiny from the White House and Congress, adding to the pressure on the embattled secretary.

“There's a cold war that exists in between flash points,” one official said. “It’s unsettling at times.”

Hegseth’s attempt to reset his team in April — firing political appointees accused of leaking and installing loyalists like Buria and Army veteran Sean Parnell — has failed to calm the waters. Many inside the Pentagon remain unnerved by the influence of Hegseth’s wife Jennifer and the disproportionately high number of female leaders dismissed since January.

Despite his growing influence, Buria’s status remains tenuous. He is currently serving as acting chief of staff, but the White House has not formally endorsed his appointment, citing concerns over his past ties to Biden administration officials.

The friction has also taken a toll on morale. Geressy has reportedly considered resigning but remains out of loyalty to Hegseth and the mission. Meanwhile, Parnell, now juggling roles as chief spokesman and senior adviser, is expected to reemerge publicly during upcoming budget hearings on Capitol Hill — a high-stakes moment for Hegseth’s tenure.

Adding fuel to the fire, Hegseth has restricted media access inside the Pentagon, prompting condemnation from the Pentagon Press Association. Critics say the move undermines the secretary’s promise of transparency and marks another step in a deepening climate of secrecy and control.

While President Trump publicly praised Hegseth during his Memorial Day address, calling him a “tough cookie,” insiders believe that unless order is restored soon, the defense secretary's grip on the Pentagon — and his place in the Trump Cabinet — may be slipping.

By Khagan Isayev