Washington DC [US], April 25 (ANI): Joe Kasper, the Chief of Staff to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, officially stepped down from his position on Thursday, transitioning into a part-time advisory role. According to a report by The Washington Post, Kasper’s departure was voluntary, and he will continue working as a special government employee, focusing on science, technology, and industry. While the exact responsibilities and official title of his new role remain undefined, it allows him to work up to 130 days annually in a government capacity.
Joe Kasper had been considering this move for several weeks, with Hegseth hinting at it during an interview with Fox News earlier in the week. Hegseth praised Kasper as a “great American” and clarified that Kasper was “certainly not fired.”
His departure comes amid reported tensions within Hegseth’s team at the Pentagon, which has raised concerns about the current leadership at the Department of Defense. Recently, the New York Times reported that Hegseth shared sensitive information about a planned military strike in Yemen on March 15 through a private group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
Hegseth used the Signal messaging app to communicate details of the operation targeting the Houthis in Yemen. This chat, initially created during Hegseth’s confirmation hearings to strategize with close allies, continued after his confirmation. It is part of an ongoing investigation by the Defence Department’s acting inspector general, following concerns about operational security.
Earlier this month, Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins informed Hegseth of an upcoming evaluation regarding his use of unclassified communication tools to discuss military plans. The incident has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly after the leaked details raised concerns about the safety and confidentiality of military operations. (ANI)
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