A senior adviser in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy has been placed on administrative leave after an undercover video released by O’Keefe Media Group showed him making critical remarks about President Donald Trump and discussing his role within the Pentagon, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
The video, published Wednesday by O’Keefe Media Group, features Brandon Newsom, identified in the report as a senior official who has served in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy for 16 years.
According to James O’Keefe, Newsom oversees corporate operations supporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including human resources, information technology, security, facilities, records management, and implementation of executive orders.
Following publication of the video, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Newsom had been placed on administrative leave while the Department of the Navy reviews the matter.
“The Department of the Navy takes the conduct shown in this video extremely seriously. Such statements and apparent intent to leverage a position to undermine the policies and direction set by our elected leaders are inappropriate and incompatible with the standards expected of Department personnel,” Cao said.
“Effective immediately, this individual has been placed on administrative leave while we determine next steps to ensure accountability and protect the integrity of our mission,” he said.
According to O’Keefe Media Group, James O’Keefe wore a disguise consisting of a mustache and glasses before meeting with Newsom during what was described as a date.
In the undercover recording, Newsom discussed his position and influence within the federal government.
“I’ve seen some things. In true D.C. nature, you don’t always reveal everything in D.C,” Newsom told O’Keefe.
“I have the influence…., I can undo whatever’s been done,” Newsom told James O’Keefe.
Newsom also expressed criticism of President Trump during the recorded conversation.
“I think Trump is a narcissist.”
Discussing the conflict involving Iran, Newsom said:
“Yeah. I think it’s [War in Iran] completely stupid, but it’s driven on one man’s [President Trump] ego to me, in my own personal opinion,” he said.
At another point in the conversation, Newsom remarked to O’Keefe, “I mean, you could be a news reporter.”
According to the report, Newsom also said he intends to seek reversal of the Pentagon’s monthly voluntary Christian prayer service.
After releasing the recording, O’Keefe questioned whether career government officials can influence or delay the implementation of policies established by elected leaders.
“This begs the question: If a government director says he can slow or reverse a sitting President’s agenda, who really governs the country? Is it the individual Americans elect or the career officials who outlast every administration?” James O’Keefe said.
The video was published on O’Keefe Media Group’s social media platforms on July 22 and was accompanied by excerpts highlighting Newsom’s comments about President Trump and his role within the Department of the Navy.
The Department of the Navy has not publicly released additional information regarding the review beyond Cao’s announcement placing Newsom on administrative leave.
The Department of the Navy takes the conduct shown in this video extremely seriously. Such statements and apparent intent to leverage a position to undermine the policies and direction set by our elected leaders are inappropriate and incompatible with the standards expected of… https://t.co/7Drq968QT0 [2]
— Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (@SECNAV) July 22, 2026 [3]
It also has not announced whether any disciplinary action beyond the leave has been taken.
As of publication, the department said it is continuing to evaluate the matter to determine appropriate next steps while emphasizing accountability and the integrity of its mission.