Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff, Ricky Buria, faces scrutiny after allegedly spreading a story about sneaking out in disguise with the War Secretary himself. The claim reportedly involved Buria and Hegseth slipping past security at a Pentagon City hotel to go out drinking together. However, several sources familiar with the situation stated there is no evidence the incident occurred and believe the story may have been fabricated.
“One source told reporters it did not happen but he told people it happened,” the individual added, describing the tale as “a bizarre effort” to test loyalty and identify potential leakers inside the Pentagon.
The allegations have fueled frustration among some officials who say the episode underscores ongoing internal tensions within the department as it carries out major military operations abroad. Hegseth, a key figure in President Donald Trump’s defense agenda, has pledged to bring discipline and focus to the Pentagon, including a commitment to abstain from alcohol while in office.
Colleagues questioned why such an account would be circulated internally following the story. Buria, who rose rapidly within the Pentagon from a junior military aide to one of Hegseth’s closest advisers, is now seen as a controversial figure due to his growing influence and reports of internal discord.
Pentagon officials dismissed the claims as gossip. A spokesperson stated: “This is false, and the Department is not going to entertain Washington gossip while we are focused on major military operations abroad.”
Some insiders believe the episode reflects an effort by the Trump administration to crack down on leaks, which have historically plagued federal bureaucracies. The administration has taken a tougher stance on unauthorized disclosures, though identifying leak sources remains difficult.
This controversy comes as Hegseth continues to push reforms aimed at restoring what he calls a merit-based culture within the military, reversing policies from the previous administration that he and his allies have criticized as overly focused on identity-based initiatives. Separately, reports of internal disagreements over military promotions and personnel decisions have surfaced, highlighting the challenges of reshaping the Department of War.
