Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior military planner on the Pentagon's Joint Staff, over allegations of leaking classified information to the public. The move follows an investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, which found Sylvia failed three polygraph tests questioning his disclosure of sensitive material.
Sylvia, who led the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Staff, was removed as part of Hegseth's broader effort to identify officials suspected of leaking information to the media. The Pentagon has referred the case to the Justice Department for potential legal action, with officials stating the removal was necessary to protect national security.
The firing comes as the Pentagon continues its campaign against leaks during the Iran war, which has seen significant military spending and planning. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the military and press organizations, with recent media policies prompting legal challenges and the revocation of press credentials for journalists who refused to comply.
A senior Pentagon official described the extent of Sylvia's alleged leaks as critical, leading to immediate action. However, Sylvia has denied the accusations, stating he had previously communicated with members of the press. The case underscores the high stakes of information security in military operations and the challenges of balancing transparency with national security concerns.