Pentagon Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

Top Consultant Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth After leaving the Pentagon after six months of service, the Department of Defense (Defense) digitized to Fox News on Saturday.

Justin Fulcher told Fox News Digital that he formally resigned Thursday night, saying the decision was entirely his own.

Fulcher said he had planned to serve in the government for six months and chose to move forward “friendly” at the point of reaching this point. He also highlighted what he called the “great work” Heggs did “for our troops and our nation.”

“this Ministry of National Defense Thanks to Justin Fulcher for his work on behalf of the President [Donald] Trump and Heggs Secretary. “We hope everything goes well with his future efforts,” Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

Hegseth

He told Fox News Digital that in addition to advising Hegseth on personnel and policies, Fulcher played a role in several defense programs during his tenure.

Forcher said he contributed to the review of major acquisition plans aimed at strengthening the deadly and the U.S. industrial base and helped simplify the software procurement schedule “from years to months” to modernize critical IT systems across the department.

He also said he supported Heggs at high-level conferences throughout the Indo-Pacific, including the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore, and was involved in efforts that redirected nearly $50 billion from non-lethal endpoint projects to ready and more influential defense programs.

Forche praised the Ministry of Defense’s “dedicated men and women”, citing progress in “revitalizing the spirit of warriors” and “rebuilding the army” and thanked Hegseth and Hegseth and trump card For their leadership. “Nevertheless, it’s just the beginning,” Fulcher added.

Fulcher, who has been a senior consultant to Hegseth since April, announced his departure on Saturday afternoon Posted to X.

“As planned, I have completed government services for 6 months,” he wrote.

Waltz doubles over Heggs’ praise amid Pentagon controversy

Justin Fulcher in an undated photo. Fulcher, senior adviser for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left the Pentagon Thursday after completing his six-month position. (Contributed by x @justinfulcher)

“Nothing will happen without Secretary Heggs’ decisive leadership or President Trump’s ongoing confidence in our team,” he wrote. “I will continue to advocate for American fighters in all future efforts.”

Fulcher joined the Department of Defense earlier this year as part of Hegseth’s inner circle, a team of loyal advisers appointed by Hegseth after he took over the Pentagon during Trump’s second term.

Fulcher served in the Pentagon for six months before resigning Thursday night with Fox News Digital. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)

His resignation emerged in the place where senior staff were resettled in Hegseth’s office. At least six aides have left since January, although defense officials see the moves as standard transitions.

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It is unclear what Fulcher’s next step will be, although his statement suggests his intention to remain active in the national security community.

The Pentagon has not yet named a substitute.