Insiders at the Pentagon revealed to the British newspaper “Daily Mail” that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fears for his safety following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Two sources within the US Department of Defense, one working directly with his office and the other indirectly, confirmed that their boss has recently been erupting in anger outbursts, attacking staff, and obsessively preoccupied with personal security issues.

One source said, “There is an obsessive pattern in his behavior. Or rather, an even more obsessive pattern, which is striking,” describing Hegseth as distracted, tense, and pacing or standing during meetings. The other added, “The man is crawling out of his skin.”

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity fearing for their jobs, amid what they described as a purge carried out by Hegseth against Pentagon officials for speaking to journalists or oversight bodies including Congressional staff.

The sources reported that the department recently threatened to revoke press credentials of journalists who refuse to sign pledges not to publish any information not previously approved by the department.

According to the sources, Hegseth insisted on pushing through the renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War months before his team was ready, attacking anyone who tried to delay the announcement.

He also exploded in anger in response to legal advisors and members of Congress who pointed out that recent killings carried out by the military against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers in the Caribbean violated international law.

One source said, “He takes criticism personally – it escalates into full-blown anger outbursts.”

The other source said Hegseth appeared more anxious since Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10. While acknowledging that some fear is normal for any prominent figure in times of political violence, the official described the secretary as “terrified” and “frightened” for his safety despite being one of the most protected government members.

He added that Hegseth’s safety concerns are fueled by his wife Jennifer, who demands unprecedented increases in protection measures for him, his family, and their homes, far exceeding what is provided to any other official in the Trump administration.

Jennifer Rauchett Hegseth, who worked at Fox News like her husband, faced criticism last spring after it was revealed she was included in message groups containing sensitive details about a US military strike against Houthis in Yemen before it was carried out in March.