In a surprising end to a high-profile tenure, Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison was removed from his position Friday as part of a broad leadership reorganization ordered by War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
According to the New York Post, Harrison’s exit marks the latest move in an ongoing effort by Hegseth to reshape military leadership structures and personnel ahead of the Senate’s confirmation of undersecretary nominee Hung Cao.
Harrison’s removal came after months of reorganization within the Navy leadership led by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and Harrison himself. The internal shifts included restructuring policy and budget roles, as well as reassigning certain aides whose loyalty to incoming leadership was in question. According to a War Department spokesperson, Harrison “will no longer serve” in his post, but the department expressed appreciation for his service. No successor has yet been named publicly.
Leadership Turmoil Follows Navy Restructuring
Harrison, who was originally appointed during the Trump administration, is among several senior officials to depart in recent months under Hegseth’s tenure. Though no official reason was provided for his removal, sources familiar with the matter say it follows growing friction over the direction of the Navy’s leadership and influence under incoming official Hung Cao.
Cao, a former GOP Senate candidate from Virginia, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate soon. His appointment has stirred internal debate, especially around how much autonomy and authority he should have upon entering the role of undersecretary. In an effort to preemptively streamline the transition, Harrison and Phelan transferred certain responsibilities and reassigned aides perceived as close to Cao. They also began the process of vetting new aides who would centralize decision-making within Phelan's office.
Hegseth Pursues Sweeping Cultural Shift
Hegseth, who took over as War Secretary earlier this year, has spearheaded a campaign to rebuild leadership ranks at the Pentagon. His personnel decisions include the dismissal of several high-ranking military and civilian officials, including former Joint Chiefs Chair C.Q. Brown and former Navy Operations Chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti.
In remarks delivered earlier this week to senior military leaders, Hegseth explained his rationale for the ongoing turnover. “It’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or benefited from that culture,” he said. He noted that the removals were not solely policy-driven but stemmed from what he characterized as a “bureaucratic turf war” complicated by personality clashes among senior officials.
Former Political Appointees Among Those Dismissed
In addition to Harrison, other Trump-era appointees have also been removed from key Pentagon posts in recent months. Among them are Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser; Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, formerly chief of staff to the deputy secretary of war.
While Hegseth has faced pushback from critics who say the shakeups risk undermining stability, he has maintained that personnel changes are essential for reversing what he described as entrenched inefficiencies. Harrison’s tenure was marked by involvement in several structural reforms, particularly around budget streamlining and internal communications, though critics argued these measures centered power within a tight leadership circle.
Trump Reaffirms Support Amid Reorganization
President Donald Trump, under whom Harrison was appointed, has not commented directly on his dismissal but is scheduled to participate in a major naval celebration this weekend. The event, dubbed “Salute to the Fleet,” will be held Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia, in honor of the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.
Thousands of service members and military families are expected to attend the celebration, which will proceed as scheduled despite ongoing federal budget concerns. “THE SHOW MUST GO ON!” Trump said in a statement, reaffirming the event’s significance. He also noted his anticipation of marking the historic milestone alongside First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary Phelan, and Hegseth.
Implications for Upcoming Senate Confirmation
The strategic restructuring within the Navy, culminating in Harrison’s firing, comes at a sensitive time as Cao awaits Senate confirmation. His potential sway has drawn attention from both supporters and internal skeptics.
The decision to limit Cao’s influence before his confirmation—through reassigning expected allies and consolidating decision-making—suggests competing visions about the future direction of Navy leadership. Harrison and Phelan’s actions appear to be efforts to maintain coherence and control over internal operations. Whether those steps will help or hinder Cao’s performance, once confirmed, remains to be seen.
More Changes Expected at the Pentagon
The War Department has not ruled out further leadership changes as Hegseth continues to evaluate key positions. He has signaled his commitment to reshaping not just personnel, but also institutional norms and expectations at the highest levels of military command. Observers say Hegseth’s assertive approach is part of a broader agenda to centralize civilian authority while recalibrating military strategy decisions that some Republican leaders argue were neglected during prior administrations. For now, the focus remains on managing the transition period as Cao’s confirmation approaches, and on ensuring a smooth observance of the Navy’s milestone celebration this weekend in Norfolk.
