A senior official in the Navy's office was placed on administrative leave on July 23, 2026, after being recorded in an undercover video criticizing the Trump administration. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Brandon Newsom's behavior was deemed inappropriate and not in line with the standards expected of Department personnel.
The video, released by conservative media figure James O’Keefe, reportedly shows Newsom calling former President Donald Trump a "narcissist" and expressing intentions to reverse policies implemented during Trump's presidency. Newsom also criticized the war in Iran, labeling it as "completely stupid" and attributing it to Trump's ego.
Cao emphasized the seriousness of the conduct displayed in the video, stating that such remarks and intentions to undermine elected leaders' policies are unacceptable. O’Keefe is known for his undercover investigations that have led to suspensions and inquiries into various individuals' conduct.