Joe Kasper, chief of staff to United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is officially stepping down from his role at the Department of Defense (DoD), according to Politico. Kasper, who had initially planned to transition into another position within the DoD, revealed during an interview that he instead intends to return to the fields of government relations and consulting.

Although he is leaving his current full-time role, Kasper emphasized that he will remain connected to the Pentagon. He will serve as a special government employee, a designation that enables him to perform temporary duties for a maximum of 130 days per year. In this capacity, Kasper will continue providing advice and support to the Department of Defense on an as-needed basis.

Kasper’s departure marks a notable change within Defense Secretary Hegseth’s inner circle as the Pentagon continues to navigate complex defense and national security challenges under the Trump administration. His shift to an advisory capacity ensures that institutional knowledge and strategic counsel remain accessible to Pentagon leadership.