© EPA-EFE/Ron Sachs / POOL The fired official played a key role in implementing broad changes to the agency's policies.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday, October 3, suddenly fired Chief of Staff to Secretary of the Navy John Harrison, who played a key role in the “program” of US President Donald Trump's administration to reform the Pentagon, Politico reports .
The dismissal followed this week's confirmation of Hung Kao as deputy secretary of the Navy, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials and a former department official.
The Pentagon confirmed Harrison's resignation.
“He will no longer serve as Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Navy. We are grateful for his service to the ministry,” the statement said.
Harrison himself declined to comment.
The Navy secretary's chief of staff has traditionally served as a “behind-the-scenes official,” a senior aide who keeps things running smoothly. But Harrison, appointed to the position by the Trump administration in January, wielded an extraordinary level of influence.
Harrison and Navy Secretary John Phelan have implemented sweeping changes to the Navy's policies and budget management, and have sought to limit the deputy secretary's influence, Politico reported. In particular, Phelan and Harrison have reportedly reassigned several aides who were supposed to help Kao with his duties after he was confirmed. They also plan to interview all of Kao's future aides to ensure that decisions are made in the secretary's office.
Kao is a prominent Navy veteran and former Republican Senate candidate from Virginia, whom Trump nominated for his current position.
Harrison's dismissal follows months of Pentagon reshuffles. This year, Hegseth has fired several high-ranking officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a number of generals.
In a speech to senior military officials this week, Hegset, a former Fox News anchor, railed against diversity and inclusion, a speech that many veterans reacted with displeasure.
