White House Reportedly Struggling To Find Top Aides For Pete Hegseth As Candidates Keep Turning Down Proposals

The White House is struggling to find qualified people willing to work as high-ranking officials in Pete Hegseth's Department of Defense, according to a new report.

NBC News detailed on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are actively seeking to help with the issue, which began in April after Hegseth suspended two senior aides he had appointed himself, accusing them of leaking classified information. Shortly after he removed his chief of staff and a senior aide resigned, saying later that the office was "total chaos."

The outlet noted that Vance and Wiles have been searching suitable candidates, but so far three people meeting the required candidates - passing the ideological test and being willing to work for Hegseth - have turned down the possibility. The White House has also turned down candidates floated by Hegseth, and vice versa.

Hegseth also dismissed dozens of members from key Pentagon advisory boards, citing the need to bring "fresh thinking to drive bold changes." The Defense Science Board, the Pentagon's oldest advisory body, has been crucial in advising on technologies like artificial intelligence and the defense industrial base, while other panels support nuclear readiness assessments.

Hegseth's tenure has also been marked by controversy over the sharing of sensitive information concerning a U.S. military operation in Yemen via a Signal chat, whichy included his wife, personal attorney, and brother, among others, according to The New York Times. Hegseth accused the top officials of not only of leaking information during their employment but also of providing the Times with details about the Signal chat, though he did not provide evidence to support the claim.

Infighting in Hegseth's office have also contributed to delays in "Golden Dome," the Trump administration's intended missile defense program, and a stalled Pentagon budget. Furthermore, a Pentagon inspector general report, expected soon, is anticipated to conclude that Hegseth shared classified information on the Signal chat, a finding that some officials, including Vance, believe could further weaken his position, the outlet noted.