this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2026
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A senior Pentagon official has been placed on leave after he was secretly filmed criticizing President Donald Trump's administration and the changes it has implemented at the Department of Defense.

Right-wing activist James O'Keefe released a video on Wednesday reportedly showing Brandon Newsom, a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, being filmed with a hidden camera. Newsweek has not independently verified the footage.

In the footage, Newsom can be heard saying that he wanted to "stay and stick it out" at the Pentagon, adding: "So that way, when the time comes, I can undo whatever's been done [by the Trump administration]." When asked about what he would undo, he talked of "a lot of times" when working at the Pentagon "challenges my morals," saying he would not have "one specific prayer service" and undo employee "schedule policy."

He also called Trump "a textbook narcissist" and described the Iran war as "completely stupid" and "driven by one man's ego."

Good to know there's still good people in the military (1 less now, but this show they're there).

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[–] HazardousBanjo@lemmy.world 52 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I'm conflicted.

On one hand, I think people should leave their positions if they're being used for evil.

On the other hand, how do we adequately resist fascism without people on the inside at the highest levels willing to side against the fascists when the opportunity presents itself?

I'm not absolving this guy for anything he may have contributed to the fascist agenda, but having people on the inside to resist it is necessary. Few of those people will ever be squeaky clean.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 11 points 2 months ago (3 children)

On the other other hand, hopefully when people like that leave an organization (military or a company in general) they take a knowledge base and experience with them, making things dumber and less efficient.

But I agree, I'd rather have a mole on the inside doing what good they can to block the march to evil.

[–] impairedimperator@lemmy.zip 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

They do!

The knowledge base that is leaving are the people that understand that starting random wars is stupid.

[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 2 points 2 months ago

I am hoping the people who leave, plan a war against Dogey America. Odds are that we will need to kill the Confederacy again.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But I agree, I’d rather have a mole on the inside doing what good they can to block the march to evil.

If this person was doing that, then I would reconsider my opinion but it looks (from the post) that he was not resisting and just hoping to be around to clean some of the mess later...

The problem here is that his job is not making a bug free video game... his job is ultimately to kill people so I find it hard to accept it is OK for him to do that but just regret it a little and that means he is a good person

[–] zarathustrad@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

So, you prefer the timeline where all honest and good high ranking military either immediately resign in protest, or "resist" which will mean immediate termination and possible charges. Vs the one where they maintain position and stay ready to resit when it might matter?

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Absolutely!... if the USA had staged a general strike, the child rapist regime would have ended in 3 months

If the "honest and good" military ranking had put a stop to this, literally THOUSANDS of lives would not have been wasted in vain.

These "honest and good" are not ready to resist... they are simply doing evil things while knowing they are evil things in hopes of what? are they going to rebuild Iran? are they going to the Caribbean to pay reparations for playing target practice with whatever boat they destroyed?

[–] credo@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

People that think the organization revolves around them are also narcissists. No. When they leave, the inevitable march will continue. The knowledge will be filled- if not now- later, by more fascists.

That’s effectively what this argument leads to. More fascists in the government.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

if you have not noticed, an inevitable feature of these fascists is that they are incredibly mediocre… I rather see the military crumble under their ineptitude than help them along the way pretending to be "the good guy"

[–] credo@lemmy.world -1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Right. So you genuinely think it will crumble if only those with upstanding morals leave.

Naive. Try reading a book, something outside your echo chamber pehaps

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So you genuinely think it will crumble if only those with upstanding morals leave.

not just leave, oppose

Explain to me how do you oppose fascism by doing everything they want you to do but secretely not like it?

[–] credo@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Again. You have zero idea what he (or anyone else) is or isn’t doing without your knowledge.

I’m finished discussing this with someone so thick headed.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

I mean, he just told us what he was doing but feel free to push your head in the sand deeper

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I’m conflicted.

Completely understandable

On one hand, I think people should leave their positions if they’re being used for evil.

We are not just talking about "evil" here as in "following orders means this washing machine will not be as reliable as I could make it". In this case we are talking about extreme cases as in "following orders means humans will be slaughtered for no reason at all"

On the other hand, how do we adequately resist fascism without people on the inside at the highest levels willing to side against the fascists when the opportunity presents itself?

Is that what is happening? because what I read was that this person disagreed but followed orders anyway, and just the slightest criticism got him canned... how was he resisting fascism in any way?

I’m not absolving this guy for anything he may have contributed to the fascist agenda, but having people on the inside to resist it is necessary. Few of those people will ever be squeaky clean.

Again, I agree but where is the evidence of ANY resistance?

[–] zarathustrad@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Well, the act of criticism is grounds for immediate dismissal.

So what specific resistance are you looking for? That would not simply be the same as walking away, only with added steps and possible retaliation?

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

So what specific resistance are you looking for?

They should have literally voiced their concern and refused to follow illegal commands

You cannot pretend to be a good person when you do evil things, knowing they are evil, simply because you want to save your own status...