A Navy official has been placed on administrative leave after he was caught on a hidden camera criticizing President Donald Trump.
According to Newsweek, Brandon Newsom was caught by James O’Keefe, the right-wing activist who often approaches people under false pretenses and records them. In this case, Newsom believed that he was on a date with a man, who was O’Keefe undercover.
Newsom, in the video, says he planned to “stay and stick it out” at the Pentagon, “so that way, when the time comes, I can undo whatever’s been done [by the Trump administration].” He added that he’s been asked to be a part of things that “challenges my morals.” That included the use of “one specific prayer service.”
O’KEEFE UNDERCOVER: Senior Pentagon Director Caught On Hidden Camera: Spills On A “Gay” Date With O’Keefe That He WILL “Undo Whatever’s Been Done [at the Pentagon]” After Trump Leaves Office To Reverse His Agenda…
“I’ve seen some things. In true D.C. nature, you don’t always… pic.twitter.com/JLkjO5ij2G
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) July 22, 2026
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“I think Trump is a narcissist,” Newsom added. “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.”
In the video, Newsom is described as a “director of business operations,” which may or may not meet the definition of “top official.” O’Keefe has long made a practice of overstating the importance of people caught in his stings.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, in quote-tweeting O’Keefe’s video, declared on X that “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.”
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
— Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (@SECNAV) July 22, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
