Ricky Buria, a Biden-era holdover, has climbed to a top Pentagon role under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite trashing President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. His rise has MAGA loyalists fuming. Loyalty isn’t what it used to be.
According to the New York Post, Buria, a 43-year-old Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, serves as Hegseth’s de facto chief of staff, managing everything from schedules to sensitive security protocols. The White House, however, blocked his permanent appointment, wary of his anti-Trump stance. Smart move, considering his track record.
A China hawk deemed “incredibly intelligent,” Buria donated $100 to a Democratic candidate in 2023 and has mused about running for Florida governor as a Democrat. His praise for Biden’s Pentagon team and Mark Milley’s portrait unveiling reeks of establishment coziness. So much for draining the swamp.
Buria was among the first to greet Hegseth at the Pentagon in January 2025, surviving an initial purge of Biden loyalists. He quickly became indispensable, even accompanying Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, to their Tennessee home on weekends. Talk about embedding yourself.
In February 2025, Buria called Trump’s plan to use military aircraft for migrant repatriation a “dumb waste of money.” “He hated and loathed the border mission,” a source noted. Sounds like someone’s not on board with the America First agenda.
By early March, Buria handed his phone to Jennifer Hegseth to prove his loyalty amid suspicions. “Jen looked through his phone, and there were no Lloyd Austin messages,” a source said. A bizarre stunt, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
On March 5, Buria clashed with Vance’s team at the Mexican border, demanding a helicopter seat but getting grounded. His criticism of Vance’s “wackamamie crazy” foreign policy didn’t help his case. Tact isn’t his strong suit.
Mid-March saw Buria slamming Vance’s opposition to airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis, per Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg. “He is more interventionist than most of Trumpworld,” a critic said. Interventionist? That’s a red flag for MAGA.
Buria’s influence peaked in April when he pushed Hegseth to fire three loyal aides: Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll. “He said, ‘These guys need to go,’” a source revealed. Purging MAGA supporters? Bold move for a Democrat.
Buria’s handling of Hegseth’s cellphone has sparked serious concerns. Witnesses saw him bring it into a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility at least a dozen times, violating strict protocols. Security’s just a suggestion. “Ricky has both custody of and access to the secretary’s phone,” a tipster said. “We don’t know who is responding.” If that doesn’t scream liability, what does?
Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s first chief of staff, quit days after the firings, citing tensions with Buria. John Ullyot, a Pentagon spokesman, also resigned, penning a Politico op-ed blasting the department’s direction. Rats fleeing a sinking ship, perhaps?
Hegseth views Buria as an effective administrator, but critics argue he’s been played. “Ricky took advantage of all the time and access he had with the family,” a source said. Trust is a two-way street, Pete.
“This is without question the worst in a string of bad judgment calls by Secretary Hegseth,” a source told The Post. The White House’s veto of Buria’s role shows they even see the problem. Actions have consequences, after all.
Buria’s retirement paperwork, filed in April 2025, hints at political ambitions, but his anti-Trump rhetoric and security lapses make him a risky bet. MAGA demands loyalty, not backroom scheming. Time will tell if Hegseth learns his lesson.
