Top Hegseth aide Justin Fulcher resigns from Pentagon after 6 months of service: ‘Incredibly inspiring’

A key advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has departed from the Pentagon after six months of service, as confirmed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to Fox News Digital on Saturday.

Justin Fulcher, the departing advisor, informed Fox News Digital that he officially resigned on Thursday evening, stating that the decision was entirely his own. Fulcher explained that he had initially planned to serve for six months in government and, having completed that timeframe, decided to part ways “amicably.” He also commended the “great work” being done by Hegseth for the benefit of the troops and the country.

In his role as an advisor to Hegseth on personnel and policy matters, Fulcher contributed to various defense initiatives during his tenure. He mentioned his involvement in reviews of major acquisition programs focused on enhancing lethality and the US industrial base, as well as his efforts in streamlining software procurement timelines to modernize key IT systems across the department. Additionally, Fulcher highlighted his participation in high-level meetings across the Indo-Pacific region and his involvement in redirecting nearly $50 billion from non-lethal line items into readiness and impactful defense programs.

Fulcher expressed his appreciation for the dedicated individuals at the Department of Defense, noting the progress made in revitalizing the warrior ethos and rebuilding the military. He thanked both Hegseth and President Trump for their leadership, emphasizing that there is still more work to be done.

Having served as a senior advisor to Hegseth since April, Fulcher announced his departure on Saturday afternoon through a message posted on X. He described his experience in government service as “incredibly inspiring” and credited Secretary Hegseth’s leadership and President Trump’s confidence in their team for the achievements made. Fulcher pledged to continue advocating for American warfighters in his future endeavors.

Fulcher’s departure is part of a larger restructuring of senior personnel within Hegseth’s office, with at least six aides having left since January. While defense officials have characterized these changes as standard transitions, Fulcher’s next steps in his career remain uncertain. However, his statement indicates his intention to remain active in national security circles.

As of now, the Pentagon has not announced a replacement for Fulcher in his advisory role to Defense Secretary Hegseth.