Pentagon refers leak case to Justice Department after firing Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia
The Pentagon says it has sent a leak case to the Justice Department for criminal investigation, after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Chiefs' strategy and plans chief, over alleged leaks of classified information.
The Pentagon said on Thursday that it has referred an alleged information leak case for criminal investigation, according to The Guardian, which cites the Washington Post. The Pentagon said removing the senior general was necessary "to protect sensitive information." The reports do not say whether the referral names Sylvia.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who headed strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A Pentagon official told CBS News the reason was apparent misconduct with classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars. Al Jazeera reports the Pentagon says he leaked information on Iran and Ukraine to the media and was under investigation.
Fox News reports that Sylvia allegedly failed three polygraph exams tied to the leaks. No other outlet in the reports repeats that claim, and it is unconfirmed. None of the reports include a response from Sylvia.
The New York Times describes the firing as part of an unusual, wide effort to identify and punish senior officers who talk to reporters. CBS News says critics call Hegseth's overhaul of the military dangerous. PBS NewsHour says Sylvia is the second general under Hegseth to be removed from the planning post. France 24, citing The Atlantic, says he was removed this week.
PBS reports Trump is considering new strikes on Iran, and CNBC says he is downplaying Iran peace talks. The reports do not say these developments are connected to the firing.
Reported by
- ABC NewsA top general pushed out at Pentagon's Joint StaffWed, Oct 28, 10:50 PM EDT
- CNBCHegseth reportedly fires U.S. top military planner as Trump downplays Iran peace talksThu, Oct 29, 3:35 AM EDT
- CBS NewsHegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner over alleged leaksThu, Oct 29, 5:09 AM EDT
- CBS NewsHegseth fires top Pentagon strategist amid Iran planning who allegedly failed polygraph testsThu, Oct 29, 8:55 AM EDT
- Fox NewsHegseth fires top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking classified Iran, Ukraine war informationThu, Oct 29, 9:08 AM EDT
- CBS NewsHegseth fires top general over apparent media leaksThu, Oct 29, 9:24 AM EDT
- France 24Pentagon shake-up continues: US fires top army general in latest ousterThu, Oct 29, 11:30 AM EDT
- The New York TimesHegseth Fires Top Army General He Accused of Leaking Information to MediaThu, Oct 29, 1:59 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraPentagon fires general it says leaked classified information to mediaThu, Oct 29, 3:02 PM EDT
- PBS NewsHourHegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner even as Trump considers new Iran strikesThu, Oct 29, 4:51 PM EDT
- The GuardianHegseth reportedly fires high-ranking army strategist over alleged leaksThu, Oct 29, 6:01 PM EDT
- CBS NewsTop Pentagon general Brett Sylvia fired over alleged leaksThu, Oct 29, 6:17 PM EDT
- CBS NewsTop Pentagon general fired amid accusations he leaked classified information to pressThu, Oct 29, 7:15 PM EDT
- CBS NewsHegseth fires another top military general as critics raise alarmThu, Oct 29, 7:47 PM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (4)
- Thu, Oct 29, 4:55 PM EDT, 7 outlets: Hegseth fires Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, second planning chief removed under him
- Thu, Oct 29, 3:10 PM EDT, 6 outlets: Pentagon says Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was fired over alleged leaks
- Thu, Oct 29, 5:15 AM EDT, 3 outlets: Hegseth fires Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, Pentagon's top military planner
- Thu, Oct 29, 4:15 AM EDT, 2 outlets: Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia removed from senior Joint Staff post at Pentagon