Hegseth Aide Spreads Rumors of Drinking with Secretary of War

Ricky Buria allegedly told colleagues he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth snuck out in disguise to drink together, raising concerns about his judgment and motives.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:06am

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A moody, cinematic painting depicting a lone political figure in a dimly lit hotel lobby, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the secretive and dramatic nature of the alleged incident.The alleged late-night hotel escapade has cast a shadow over the Secretary of War's office, exposing tensions and distrust within the Department.Washington Today

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's top aide Ricky Buria allegedly told colleagues last year that he and Hegseth donned disguises and went out drinking together while Hegseth was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Pentagon City. However, there is no proof the 'great escape' actually happened, and many believe Buria was attempting to catch leakers by spreading the potentially destructive story, which has reverberated within the administration.

Why it matters

Buria's behavior has created distractions for the Department of War as it tries to execute critical military operations. His alleged attempt to spread an unverified story about drinking with Hegseth has raised concerns about Buria's judgment and motives, as he occupies a powerful position as the secretary's chief of staff.

The details

Two sources said that Buria, 44, told them separately in early 2025 that he and Hegseth, 45, slipped past the secretary's security detail while he was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Buria allegedly told the story as a way to make it seem like he was very close to Hegseth and possibly had leverage over him. Several additional sources suspect Buria was attempting to trap leakers after persistently stirring drama within the department.

  • In late March or April 2025, Buria told one source the drinking story inside a Pentagon office.
  • A few months later, Buria was 'running around telling people' the same story.

The players

Ricky Buria

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's 44-year-old top aide, who rose swiftly from a junior military aide to Hegseth's right-hand man. Buria is a rare Biden administration holdover who has been accused of creating drama and infighting within the Department of War.

Pete Hegseth

The 45-year-old Secretary of War who had publicly vowed ahead of his January Senate confirmation not to drink 'a drop of alcohol' to guarantee the nation would have 'fully dialed-in Pete' in times of crisis, following reports alleging drunken misbehavior in the recent past.

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What they’re saying

“My first impression of it was he was trying to figure out if I was going to tell other people. But then I come to find out a couple months later that he was running around telling people.”

— Pentagon Source

“It didn't happen because the secretary has a security detail. He told this story as a way to try and make it seem like he was really close to Hegseth and possibly had leverage over him.”

— Pentagon Source

What’s next

The White House is expected to review Buria's behavior and his role within the Department of War.

The takeaway

Buria's alleged attempt to spread an unverified story about drinking with the Secretary of War has raised serious concerns about his judgment and motives, especially given his powerful position as Hegseth's chief of staff. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the administration faces in controlling leaks and drama within the Department of War.