The White House has reportedly blocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from appointing his preferred choice for chief of staff due to resurfaced remarks criticizing President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Ricky Buria, a former Biden administration aide, has been working informally as Hegseth’s closest advisor at the Pentagon. However, his prior statements, including calling Trump’s use of the military on the southern border “dumb” and describing Vance’s foreign policy as “crazy,” triggered concern among top administration officials.
Despite lacking a formal title, Buria has been a powerful figure inside the Department of Defense, allegedly influencing major staffing decisions and playing a role in sidelining pro-Trump personnel. His close relationship with both Hegseth and Hegseth’s wife has helped maintain his access despite official resistance.
The episode adds to growing tensions within the Pentagon under Hegseth’s leadership, as policy clashes and internal disputes continue to shape the department’s direction. For now, Buria remains without a formal title, but his influence remains a point of contention behind the scenes.