A new investigative report from O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) has shed light on controversial comments made by former FBI agent and Pentagon consultant Jamie Mannina.
In a series of secret meetings with an OMG reporter, Mannina, who serves in an advisory role to the Defense Department’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed views critical of President-elect Donald Trump and new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Context of Mannina and criticism of Trump
Mannina’s career spanned various government positions, including his work as a special agent with the FBI and special assistant to Hillary Clinton. After Clinton’s presidential defeat, Mannina worked on counterintelligence efforts, focusing on Russian and Chinese espionage activities, which he said influenced the 2016 U.S. presidential election. secret recordings, Mannina shared his belief that foreign interference had compromised the integrity of the election.
JUSTIN: Pentagon senior advisor Jamie Mannina just fired via email to @OKeefeMedia Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Spokesperson Joseph Holstead
Mannina was filmed by OMG hidden cameras revealing plans “with some retired generals to explore what we can do” for… pic.twitter.com/Aq4dH1Whn0
– James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) January 15, 2025
When asked about President Trump, Mannina didn’t hold back, calling him a “sociopathic narcissist” driven primarily by self-interest. He further argued that Trump would likely attempt to remain in office beyond the end of his term, despite constitutional restrictions. Mannina speculated that Trump’s motivation for trying to retain power would be to avoid legal consequences after his presidency.
Conversations with retired military leaders
Throughout the conversations, Mannina discussed her continued efforts to challenge Trump’s presidency. He revealed that he had been in talks with several retired military generals, including admirals and major generals, to explore what could be done to prevent Trump from pushing the envelope during his second term. Mannina believed that if Kamala Harris had won the presidential election, he would have obtained an important position with National Security Leaders for America, an organization whose goal is to warn the public of the national security risks posed by another Trump presidency.
Mannina also spoke about his involvement in efforts to defeat Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections. He claimed to have published more than 100 opinion pieces, including in the Huffington Post and The Hill, claiming that Trump’s actions were prejudicial to the American Constitution. During the recent election cycle, Mannina switched from writing under his own name to ghostwriting for retired generals, a move he believed was necessary to challenge Trump’s influence.
Pentagon work and views on military technology
In the secret interviews, Mannina also spoke about her work at the Pentagon. He described attending high-level meetings with senior U.S. military officials in a secure room known as “the tank.” A major meeting focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity. Mannina emphasized the importance of these technologies to national security and expressed frustration with bureaucratic obstacles that hinder progress. He argued that overclassification of intelligence prevented the United States from effectively sharing critical information with its international allies, thereby weakening collaboration against common threats.
Review by Pete Hegseth
Mannina has not been shy about criticizing Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. He accused Hegseth of allegations of infidelity, alcoholism and sexual assault. Mannina’s negative comments about Hegseth further fueled the controversy, painting a portrait of an individual unfit for leadership.
Concerns about the new administration
As the conversations progressed, Mannina also expressed unease about her place in the new administration. He admitted to being “a little worried” about fitting into Trump’s new administration, revealing personal thoughts he wouldn’t normally share. He acknowledged that his openness during undercover interviews was unusual, because he felt obligated to divulge information he would usually keep confidential.
Joint staff response and denial of claims
Following the release of the video, OMG sought to verify Mannina’s claims. The Joint Chiefs of Staff for Public Affairs clarified that Mannina was not an advisor to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Brown or the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While confirming that Mannina worked as a contract employee at Booz Allen Hamilton in the J6 C4 & Cyber division of the Joint Staff, they emphasized that his personal views did not reflect the official position of U.S. military leadership.
The Joint Staff statement further clarified that Mannina’s comments do not represent the views of General Brown, who is preparing to serve as President-elect Trump’s top military advisor. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed that they look forward to working with the new Trump administration.
OMG’s Investigation Methods and Public Response
The broadcast of the video sparked many reactions, particularly regarding OMG’s investigation methods. O’Keefe Media Group, led by James O’Keefe, has been criticized for using controversial tactics and selective editing in its past reporting. Critics say OMG often targets liberal figures to promote conservative causes. In 2023, O’Keefe parted ways with his former organization, Project Veritas, amid allegations of financial misconduct, before launching OMG.
The explosive nature of the investigation, coupled with Mannina’s critical views of Trump and Hegseth, has reignited debates about the intersection of government officials, political discourse and national security. As the impact of these revelations continues to be felt, they will likely influence ongoing discussions about the future direction of U.S. defense policy, the role of intelligence agencies, and the relationship between military leaders and power. executive.