Overview
- A New York Post report, echoed by Mediaite, says chief of staff Ricky Buria told coworkers he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slipped out in disguise to drink.
- The Pentagon press secretary said the account is false.
- Colleagues quoted in the stories said Buria pushed the tale to smoke out leakers or to boost his standing with Hegseth.
- Sources recalled talk of a hat and sunglasses, a slip from the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, and nearly three bottles of Macallan on a trip.
- The episode adds to friction around Buria, a Biden-era holdover whose promotion was stalled before approval in December and who was previously reported to have clashed with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, with officials warning the drama distracts from major operations.