Joseph R. Kasper
All Connections
5 total
All Connections
5 totalPentagon Chief of Staff to SecDef Pete Hegseth Jan-Apr 2025; departed Apr 24 2025 to part-time SGE role on industry/science/technology; previously Asst Navy Secretary in Trump 1 administration
Kasper served as chief of staff to SecDef Pete Hegseth Jan-Apr 2025; multi-source confirmed power-struggle and consolidation dynamic
Kasper consulted at Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC (DC-based government relations / public affairs firm) between Trump 1 and Trump 2 service; lobbying registrant
Kasper served as deputy chief of staff / chief of staff to Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr (R-CA), having transitioned from same role under his father Rep. Duncan Hunter Sr; left in 2017 for Pentagon political appointment - 'Hill Climbers: Joe Kasper Has Served Two Generations of Hunters' (Roll Call 2012)
Co-membership in Pete Hegseth's 'Defense Team Huddle' Signal chat (Jan-Apr 2025); shared participation in Hegseth inner circle communications
All Findings
5 total
All Findings
5 totalfinancial (1)
FEC/LittleSis records: Kasper personal donations 2021-2024 incl $1,000 to Ryan Zinke / Zinke for Congress, $2,000 to David Kustoff / Kustoff for Congress, $3,500 to Diana Harshbarger; consistent Republican-aligned giving pattern
intelligence (1)
Kasper authored end-March 2025 memo directing Pentagon investigation of unauthorized leaks (with potential lie-detector tests); the probe Kasper initiated led to the firings of Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll; some sources suggested Kasper helped spearhead the consolidation move
background (3)
Joe Kasper served as Pentagon Chief of Staff to SecDef Pete Hegseth Jan-Apr 2025; departed Apr 24 2025 amid Pentagon leak probe and inner-circle turmoil; transitioned to part-time special government employee role on industry/science/technology
Career arc: USAF A-10 mechanic; UConn poli sci/constitutional law; Hill staff for Rep. Rob Simmons (CT); long-time aide to Rep. Duncan Hunter Sr (1990s-2008) rising to communications director and legislative director; transitioned with Duncan Hunter Jr (2009-2017) as deputy chief of staff/chief of staff; Trump 1 Pentagon political appointment 2017; later Assistant Navy Secretary; consulted at Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC; returned as Hegseth chief of staff Jan 2025
Reported workplace conduct issues at Pentagon: derailed a meeting with veterans group with story about strip-club night; sources said he 'lacked focus and organizational skills,' was late to meetings, berated officials