Hegseth reportedly dismisses Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, joint staff strategist, over alleged leaks
The Pentagon says an alleged information leak has been referred to the Justice Department, while a senior official told Reuters the general failed three polygraph tests.
At a glance
- Pete Hegseth has reportedly fired Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a joint staff strategist, over alleged leaks of classified information.
- The Pentagon said the case was referred to the Justice Department; a senior official told Reuters Sylvia failed three polygraph tests.
- A colleague told the Washington Post that Sylvia denied leaking but had previously communicated with the press.
US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly dismissed Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a senior army strategist serving on the Pentagon's joint staff, after allegations that he disclosed classified information to the public.
The Pentagon said on Thursday that an alleged information leak case had been referred for criminal investigation and described the general's removal as necessary to protect sensitive information, the Washington Post reported. Sylvia had served as director for strategy, plans and policy on the joint staff.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the personnel action in a statement on social media without naming Sylvia. He said that following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the department had taken "necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information", and that no further comment would be made about the individual or the circumstances in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. The matter, along with others, had been referred to the Justice Department for possible further legal action, he added.
Justice Department involvement
A Justice Department spokesperson said it had ongoing investigations related to possible leaks of classified information, and that it works closely with government partners including the Department of War, the Trump administration's name for the Pentagon.
The dismissal is among the most significant actions so far in Hegseth's campaign to identify officials suspected of sharing information with journalists, which has unfolded as the US war on Iran moves into its ninth month. In July, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon and the Justice Department had created a joint taskforce to "identify and prosecute" what he called unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information to the press.
Hegseth also introduced new restrictions on media access that prompted legal concerns from press organisations. Dozens of journalists surrendered their press badges rather than agree to the new policies, which have been subject to legal challenges.
Competing accounts
A senior Pentagon official told Reuters that Sylvia failed three separate polygraph tests in which he was asked whether he had disclosed classified material. The official said the extent of the leaking was so critical that Hegseth acted immediately to protect national security.
A colleague of Sylvia told the Washington Post that the general had consistently rejected accusations that he leaked classified information, while acknowledging that he had previously communicated with members of the press.
In August, three journalists fired by the Pentagon from the US government-funded outlet Stars and Stripes sued in federal court, arguing their dismissals were illegal and violated their first amendment rights.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- Who is Lt Gen Brett Sylvia?
- Sylvia served as director for strategy, plans and policy on the Pentagon's joint staff. He was reportedly dismissed by US defense secretary Pete Hegseth over allegations he disclosed classified information.
- Why was Brett Sylvia fired?
- The Pentagon said the removal was needed to protect sensitive information after an Air Force OSI investigation. A senior official told Reuters that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests asking whether he had disclosed classified material.
- Did Brett Sylvia deny leaking classified information?
- A colleague told the Washington Post that Sylvia consistently rejected the accusations, while acknowledging that he had previously communicated with members of the press.
