A senior official at the Pentagon has been put on administrative leave following the release of a video that reportedly features him criticizing President Donald Trump’s administration.
The video was released by right-wing activist James O’Keefe on Wednesday. It allegedly shows Brandon Newsom, who holds a prominent role in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, speaking candidly on camera. Newsweek has not been able to verify the authenticity of the footage independently.
In the video, Newsom reportedly expresses a desire to remain at the Pentagon in order to reverse changes made by the Trump administration once possible. He is also heard describing Trump as “a textbook narcissist” and labeling the Iran conflict as “completely stupid” and driven by “one man’s ego.”
Following the video’s release, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Newsom had been suspended from duty. “The Department of the Navy considers the conduct in this video seriously. Statements that imply an intent to subvert the policies set by elected officials are inappropriate and do not align with the expected standards at the Department,” Cao communicated via X. “Effective immediately, the individual in question is on administrative leave as we evaluate further actions to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of our mission.”
This situation continues to develop, with updates forthcoming.