Senior Hegseth adviser out at Pentagon, sources say

Justin Fulcher, a senior staffer on the Pentagon and adviser to Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been ousted, three sources aware of the matter informed CBS News Saturday. 

Fulcher began on the Protection Division as a member of billionaire Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity. He was then later promoted to a put up as senior adviser to Hegseth. 

In April, a Pentagon spokesperson introduced Fulcher’s position as part of a brand new Protection Division management workforce, together with Marine Col. Ricky Buria and Patrick Weaver — each Hegseth aides — and chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. It was created after sensitive military plans concerning an assault on the Houthis in Yemen have been shared in a chat on the Sign messaging app in March between Hegseth and different high Trump administration officers.

“The Division of Protection is grateful to Justin Fulcher for his work on behalf of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. We want him nicely in his future endeavors,” Parnell in an announcement to CBS News Saturday.

Hegseth’s workplace has seen a staffing shakeup within the wake of the Signal scandal. In March, Hegseth senior adviser Dan Caldwell and deputy chief of workers Dan Selnick were fired amid a leak probe, whereas his chief of workers Joe Kasper, was transitioned to a brand new position as a particular authorities worker dealing with “particular initiatives.”

The Protection Division additionally launched an announcement on behalf of Fulcher that learn: “As deliberate, I’ve accomplished 6 months of service in authorities to my nation. Working alongside the devoted women and men of the Division of Protection has been extremely inspiring.

“Revitalizing the warrior ethos, rebuilding the navy, and reestablishing deterrence are simply a number of the historic accomplishments I am proud to have witnessed. Nonetheless, that is just the start.

“None of this might have occurred with out Secretary Hegseth’s decisive management or President Trump’s continued confidence in our workforce. 

“I am grateful to each, and to the extraordinary civilians and repair members who flip imaginative and prescient into motion daily. 

“I’ll proceed to champion American warfighters in all future endeavors and stay impressed by the work of the Division of Protection.”