Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was fired as part of a broad and highly unusual campaign to find and punish senior military officers who speak to reporters.

© Marcin Bielecki/EPA-EFE, via Shutterstock

Pentagon says it has referred leak case to justice department for criminal investigation

The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reportedly dismissed Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a high-ranking army strategist serving on the Pentagon’s joint staff, following allegations that he disclosed classified information to the public.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it had referred an alleged information leak case for criminal investigation, maintaining that the removal of the senior general was essential “to protect sensitive information”, the Washington Post reported.

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© Photograph: Spc. Javan Johnson/Training Support Activity Europe

© Photograph: Spc. Javan Johnson/Training Support Activity Europe

© Photograph: Spc. Javan Johnson/Training Support Activity Europe

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was the second general under Hegseth to be removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired a lieutenant general earlier this week for allegedly leaking classified information related to the war with Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war, sources said.

The post Report: Hegseth Fires ‘Top Military Planner’ for Alleged Leaks of Classified Info appeared first on Breitbart.

President Trump blasted Democrats Thursday over their ongoing calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom they see as one of their primary targets, if the party takes control of the House.  “I think it’s terrible. All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody,” the president told reporters when asked if he is worried…

President Trump blasted Democrats Thursday over their ongoing calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom they see as one of their primary targets, if the party takes control of the House.  “I think it’s terrible. All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody,” the president told reporters when asked if he is worried…

Wednesday on CNN’s “The Arena,” Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) said it is possible if they win a majority in the midterms, Democrats will use impeachment as a tool to end President Donald Trump’s “corruption.” Anchor Kasie Hunt said, “When you

The post Crow: Dems Could Use ‘Impeachment’ as Tool to End Trump’s ‘Corruption’ appeared first on Breitbart.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth fired one of the Pentagon’s senior strategic planners amid an investigation into allegations he leaked classified information to journalists about the Iran war, Russia’s war in Ukraine and other sensitive matters, a Department of War official told Fox News.

The official said Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations related to alleged disclosures of classified information. The investigation has been referred to the Justice Department. 

Sylvia is also accused of meeting journalists outside the Pentagon with the alleged intention of leaking classified material after Hegseth imposed new media restrictions requiring reporters to be escorted inside the building.

HEGSETH ANNOUNCES JOINT TASK FORCE WITH DOJ TO PROSECUTE LEAKS TO JOURNALISTS 'WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW'

Fox News Digital has reached out to the DOJ and Sylvia for comment but did not hear back at time of publication. 

Sylvia served as director of the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J5, a senior role responsible for developing military strategy and advising the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The J5 has been sidelined from that role since the spring, according to well-placed sources who spoke to Fox News.

The official stressed that Sylvia was not a central planner of the Iran war, which falls under U.S. Central Command and its commander, Adm. Brad Cooper.

The Atlantic first reported Sylvia’s ouster Wednesday night, citing sources who said Hegseth had lost confidence in the three-star general amid tensions with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby.

Sylvia is the second officer leading the J5 to be removed under Hegseth, following Lt. Gen. John McGee. Hegseth also removed Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, then director of the Joint Staff, earlier this year.

The abrupt removal comes as the Pentagon reportedly weighs renewed military action against Iran.

PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION

U.S. officials have reportedly warned allies in the Middle East to prepare for possible renewed strikes after next week’s midterm elections and potential Iranian retaliation, while additional U.S. forces are moving into the region.

A 1994 West Point graduate, Sylvia has served more than three decades in the Army, including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and was wounded in combat. Before taking over the J5 in December, he commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and had previously served as the J5’s vice director.

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Sylvia’s removal is the latest in a broader turnover of senior military leadership under Hegseth, with nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior leaders fired, pushed out or otherwise departing during his tenure.

“Why are you telling these people who gathered to see you in their Chinese-made, American-flag, Hawaiian shirts that they can’t afford to eat at your house?” Jimmy Kimmel asked.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted a top military strategist from the Pentagon, The Hill has learned, marking another senior officer who has been removed from the department since Hegseth took the helm close to two years ago.  Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who was the director for strategy, plans and policy on the…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted a top military strategist from the Pentagon, The Hill has learned, marking another senior officer who has been removed from the department since Hegseth took the helm close to two years ago.  Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who was the director for strategy, plans and policy on the…