Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, following an investigation into the alleged leaking of classified information. A Pentagon official stated that the matter has been referred to the Department of Justice for potential legal action.
The removal comes amid what sources described as a priority by Hegseth to address leaks within the Department of Defense. Sylvia served as the head of strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Staff, a position known as "J5" that involves coordinating long-term military planning, including battle plans related to Iran. He is the second general to be removed from this post during Hegseth's tenure, following the forced retirement of Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee in October 2025.
According to a Pentagon official, Sylvia was accused of sharing classified data concerning the wars in Iran and Ukraine with the press. The official alleged that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests during an investigation conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). However, two other Pentagon sources told CBS News that the firing was related to the polygraph tests but that the accusations regarding the tests are not true. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the department took "necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information" but did not comment on the specific circumstances to protect the integrity of the investigation.
The scale of the impact involves the management of information related to military engagements and the professional standing of a 32-year combat veteran who previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division. For the employees of the Department of Defense, the action sets a precedent for how the agency handles suspected leaks. The public statement from the Pentagon spokesperson, which vowed to "find" those responsible for leaks, indicates a shift in internal security enforcement that could affect how military personnel interact with the media and the public.
What happens next: The case has been referred to the Department of Justice, which will determine if criminal charges are warranted for the alleged mishandling of classified documents. No replacement has been named for the J5 position as of late Wednesday. The Joint Staff retracted an initial statement of gratitude for Sylvia’s service, stating that it did not reflect the "full circumstances" of his departure, and indicated they would not comment further during the ongoing personnel process. Potential strikes against Iran remain a subject of administration deliberation following the November 3 midterm elections.