[By Guancha Observer Network, Chen Sijia] "The Pentagon is in complete disarray," reported the US The Hill on April 19. Three senior officials of the US Department of Defense were dismissed on April 18 for being accused of "unauthorized disclosure of national security information." These three officials then issued a joint statement, firmly denying the relevant charges and accusing the Pentagon of "groundless defamation" against them.

The report said that the US Department of Defense launched an investigation into multiple "leak incidents" last month to determine how sensitive information such as the deployment of the second US aircraft carrier to the Red Sea, the military action plan targeting the Panama Canal, Musk's visit to the Pentagon as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, and the US suspension of intelligence collection for Ukraine was exposed by the media.

The investigation has affected three senior Pentagon officials: Dan Caldwell, senior advisor to Defense Secretary Hackett; Darin Serenik, deputy director of the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Vanberg. Caldwell and Serenik were suspended on April 15, while Carroll was placed on administrative leave on April 16.

Photo illustration: Pentagon, Visual China

According to insiders, Caldwell, Serenik, and Carroll were fired on April 18. They then issued a joint statement denying the leak allegations and expressed their "great disappointment" with the way the Department of Defense handled the situation.

In their joint statement, they said: "As we depart, Pentagon officials have made groundless defamatory remarks about our character. All three of us have served our country in the military, with two of us having been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and are working every day to protect it."

Caldwell, Serenik, and Carroll stated that they have not been informed of the specific reasons for their investigation nor do they know if the investigation is ongoing or whether there is indeed an investigation into the "leak incidents."

In addition, a senior US government official told Politico that Joe Kasper, director of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will take up a new position in the coming days. Last month, Kasper requested the Pentagon investigate the "leaks," and some defense officials noticed that the three dismissed individuals had tense relations with Kasper.

"Kasper doesn't like these people," said a Pentagon official. "They have different styles of operation, they just don't get along, it's a personality conflict."

After Trump returned to the White House, the Pentagon has already carried out a "clean-up" of senior officials, dismissing high-ranking officials such as Army Chairman Charles Brown appointed by the Biden administration in February. A defense official said that this new upheaval could lead to more chaos, "This undoubtedly increases people's fears, making them realize that no job is safe."

Poltico pointed out that personnel changes have left Secretary of Defense Hackett without three important senior advisors. Another senior defense official said this means the situation within the Pentagon is out of control, "There is total collapse happening inside the building, which actually reflects the minister's leadership ability. Around Hackett are people who don't care about his interests."

Democrats also believe that the political turmoil within the Pentagon reflects Hackett's lack of ability to lead the Department of Defense.

Chris Miguel, who served as assistant secretary of defense in the Biden administration, said: "Everyone knows that Hackett lacks the leadership qualities, background, or experience required to be defense secretary. We see excellent officials being dismissed for being perceived as disloyal, hasty chat software leaks, and a complete lack of transparency. Now several political officials have been excluded, which only proves he lacks leadership ability."

This article is an exclusive piece by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7495251663481995791/

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