Jon Harrison removed as navy chief of staff after clashes over budget control

04 October 2025 , 20:36

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Jon Harrison removed as navy chief of staff after clashes over budget control

Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, abruptly dismissed the navy chief of staff on Friday, removing an aide who had been central to the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the Pentagon.

Jon Harrison, who was appointed in January, had been instrumental in significant changes to the navy’s policy and budgeting offices. Alongside John Phelan, a prominent Trump donor confirmed as the navy secretary in March, Harrison had reportedly aimed to reduce the influence of the navy undersecretary, who typically plays a key role in managing the branch’s budget.

The Pentagon confirmed Harrison’s removal in a statement to Politico, which initially reported it.

"He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy," it stated. "We are grateful for his service to the Department."

Harrison’s dismissal comes just days after Hung Cao, a former naval officer who ran for Senate as a Republican last year, was confirmed as navy undersecretary.

Politico previously reported that Harrison and Phelan, who had no prior military experience before their appointments, had reassigned several top aides who were supposed to assist Cao in adjusting to his role. According to Politico, this move aimed to diminish the influence of the undersecretary’s position.

Harrison’s departure follows months of turmoil under Hegseth.

In May, he commanded the military to reduce its cadre of four-star generals and admirals by 20%, while Hegseth and Trump have dismissed more than half a dozen top generals since January. They have also dismissed the only two women serving as four-star officers. In February, Hegseth also dismissed air force general CQ Brown Jr, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff and the second Black man to hold that position.

In an unusual address to top military officials this week, Hegseth criticized diversity and inclusion guidelines and claimed the defence department had previously become "the woke department." Many veterans reacted angrily to Hegseth’s speech, who, before being appointed as defence secretary, was a host on Fox News.

James Smith

Editor-in-Chief