Hegseth Fires Top General For Allegedly Leaking Classified Information

By Rebeka Zeljko

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia for allegedly leaking classified information, a Department of War (DOW) official told the Daily Caller.

Sylvia served as director of the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J-5, before being fired for “severe misconduct,” including allegedly leaking classified information about the Iran War and the Russia-Ukraine War, according to the official. Sylvia also failed three polygraphs and is actively being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the official added.

“Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon to leak classified information,” the official told the Caller. (RELATED: Feds Raid Beverly Hills Mansion In Connection To Disgraced Dem Eric Swalwell)

“The extent of his leaking became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia in order to protect national security,” the official added. “Urgent action was needed and could not wait another second.”

The official noted that although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, he was not the “central planner” for the Iran War as a member of the Joint Staff.

As of this writing, no replacement for Sylvia has been named. Sylvia is the second person to be removed from the role this past year, in addition to his predecessor, Army Lieutenant General Joseph McGee.

“This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action,” DOW spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X. “Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it.”

🚨A DOW official on Sylvia’s firing: “Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, who was part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired by Secretary Hegseth for severe misconduct. Although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known inside the military as the J5, he was NOT a central planner for the Iran War. That is the responsibility of CENTCOM and its commander Admiral Cooper. Sylvia is the subject of an investigation for leaking classified information about the Iran War, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and more. Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon in order to leak classified information. Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information. The investigation into him remains ongoing and has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action. The extent of his leaking became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia in order to protect national security. Urgent action was needed and could not wait another second.” @DailyCaller

— Rebeka Zeljko (@rebekazeljko) October 29, 2026

Sylvia is the fourth Pentagon official to be fired under Hegseth for allegedly leaking classified information.

Hegseth’s former senior adviser, Dan Caldwell, was fired in April 2025 after being accused of and investigated for classified leaks. Hegseth’s former Deputy Chief of Staff, Darin Selnick, and former Chief of Staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, Colin Carroll, were also fired. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Hegseth Announces New ‘Patriotic’ Officer Training Program In Partnership With Select Universities)

Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll said they had not been told what they were specifically investigated for and denied any wrongdoing. The investigation was eventually completed, and the three men were never charged.

Caldwell later worked at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) under former Director Tulsi Gabbard.