Story perspectives

Pentagon hires MAGA influencers as special government employees

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired MAGA influencers as special government employees for the Pentagon.
Rob Maness and Kurt Schlichter, retired colonels, held .civ emails and had 130,000-plus and 620,000 X followers respectively.
Jennica Pounds, “DataRepublican,” secretly became a Pentagon special government employee in July 2026.
Jennica Pounds falsely accused State Department undersecretary Sarah B. Rogers of treason after her secret role surfaced.

History

Historical Context

1995 Secretary William J. Perry oversaw DoD Directive 1235.1 limiting civilian political activity; the Pentagon’s habit of codifying conduct continued when Ashton Carter issued DODD 3000.09 on weapon autonomy in November 2012, revised on January 25 2023, and the FY2024 NDAA now mandates swift congressional notice of any changes. Hiring MAGA influencers revives the same oversight concerns, prompting calls for renewed review.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired MAGA influencers as special government employees for the Pentagon.
Rob Maness and Kurt Schlichter, retired colonels, held .civ emails and had 130,000-plus and 620,000 X followers respectively.
Jennica Pounds, “DataRepublican,” secretly became a Pentagon special government employee in July 2026.
Jennica Pounds falsely accused State Department undersecretary Sarah B. Rogers of treason after her secret role surfaced.

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