John Ullyot Resigns Amid Controversy Over Jackie Robinson’s Biography Removal

ARLINGTON, Va. — John Ullyot, the top spokesperson for the Department of Defense (DOD) during the early months of the current administration, announced his resignation on Wednesday after failing to secure a permanent position amid controversy surrounding the removal of baseball legend Jackie Robinson‘s biography from the DOD website.

Ullyot’s resignation follows a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, where the two were unable to agree on a suitable role for Ullyot within the department. “I made clear to Secretary Hegseth before the inauguration that I was not interested in being number two to anyone in public affairs,” Ullyot stated. “So I informed him today that I will be leaving at the end of this week.”

Initially agreeing to serve as press secretary on an acting basis, Ullyot was later sidelined after being replaced by Sean Parnell, a combat veteran and former congressional candidate, in February. Following his reassignment to a special projects role, he faced backlash for defending the Pentagon’s decision to take down a webpage honoring Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ullyot attracted national attention for his defense of the removal, which was perceived as part of a broader strategy to minimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content within the DOD. “Everyone at the Defense Department loves Jackie Robinson, as well as the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Marines at Iwo Jima, and so many others – we salute them for their heroic service,” Ullyot said. However, he added that the department does not highlight individuals based on race or ethnicity.

The biography of Jackie Robinson, detailing his service during World War II, was restored to the DOD’s website shortly after its removal created uproar among sports fans and civil rights advocates. According to reports, the Pentagon received criticism following the deletion of not only Robinson’s page but also content related to other historical figures, including Native American servicemen.

In response to the public outcry, Ullyot issued a revised statement to clarify the department’s position on diversity and military recognition. “In the rare cases that content is removed, we instruct the components to correct it to recognize our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans,” he emphasized.

Ullyot’s resignation comes as the Pentagon is embroiled in multiple controversies, including an internal investigation into press leaks. This week, several high-level officials within the DOD, including Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick and Senior Adviser Dan Caldwell, were placed on administrative leave, reflecting ongoing turmoil within the department’s leadership.

The resignation has raised questions about the future direction of the DOD’s public affairs office and the implications of the recent personnel shake-up, as Hegseth adapts to his role during a challenging period for the military branch. Ullyot, a Marine Corps veteran, previously held senior communications roles within the Trump administration, including the National Security Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs.