A power struggle unfolds at the Pentagon as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's right-hand man faces resistance from the White House over his past criticisms of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
According to the New York Post, Ricky Buria, a 43-year-old Biden administration holdover serving as Hegseth's de facto chief of staff, was denied a permanent appointment after disparaging remarks about Trump's immigration policies and Vance's foreign policy views came to light.
The controversy stems from Buria's vocal opposition to key administration priorities, including Trump's use of military resources for border enforcement and Vance's stance on military intervention abroad. Multiple sources revealed that Buria described the vice president's views as "wackamamie crazy" and labeled Trump's border initiatives as "dumb."
Buria's influence within the Pentagon had grown significantly since January, when he first welcomed the Hegseths to the department. His close relationship with Jennifer Hegseth, the secretary's wife, has drawn comparisons to Rasputin's influence over the Russian imperial court.
Despite security protocols, sources claim Buria regularly brought Hegseth's personal phone into secure facilities where such devices are prohibited. This revelation adds to existing concerns about information security in Hegseth's office.
The situation has created tension between different factions within the Trump administration, with some viewing Buria's presence as problematic given his Democratic leanings and previous criticism of key administration figures.
Sources close to both the Pentagon and White House disclosed that Buria has expressed interest in running for Florida governor as a Democrat. His political donations and public praise for Biden administration officials have raised eyebrows among Trump loyalists.
One source familiar with the matter shared:
This is without question the worst in a string of bad judgment calls recently by Secretary Hegseth. It's a big issue. All political appointees go through a vetting process, and anyone with Ricky's background would not make it through step one.
The controversy has impacted staffing decisions within the department. Under Buria's influence, three top aides were dismissed, including longtime Trump allies Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll.
Despite blocking Buria's official appointment, the White House has allowed Hegseth discretion in keeping him as an adviser. The administration's approach reflects a careful balance between respecting Hegseth's authority and maintaining alignment with Trump's agenda.
Multiple sources described Buria's criticism of the administration as unusually direct. A Pentagon insider revealed:
There was absolutely no withholding of his personal sentiments on any of this stuff. He would talk about the 'wackamamie crazy' of [Vance] and the New Right. He was a military officer, which makes it even worse.
The situation has created additional challenges for Hegseth, who must navigate between supporting his trusted aide and maintaining good relationships within the administration.
Pete Hegseth's Pentagon faces ongoing scrutiny as his de facto chief of staff, Ricky Buria, continues to serve despite the White House's rejection of his permanent appointment. The controversy stems from Buria's past criticisms of President Trump and Vice President Vance, as well as his alleged Democratic political aspirations and security protocol violations. The situation highlights the complex dynamics within Trump's administration, where personal loyalty and ideological alignment often intersect with operational effectiveness. As Hegseth maintains support for his embattled aide, questions remain about the long-term stability of Pentagon leadership and its alignment with administration priorities.
