Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner over alleged leaks about the Iran War and Russia-Ukraine war to the media.
A Pentagon official initially told CBS News on Wednesday alleged that the department accused Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia of misconduct for leaking classified information related to the conflicts.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed Sylvia’s firing in an X post on Thursday, writing in part: “The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe.”
Parnell also alluded to “an extensive Air Force OSI investigation” that forced the department to take “necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information.”
A DOD spokesperson confirmed to Military.com that Sylvia’s termination was due to “severe misconduct.”
“Although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known inside the military as the J5, he was not a central planner for the Iran War,” the official said. “That is the responsibility of CENTCOM and its commander, Adm. [Brad] Cooper.
“Sylvia is the subject of an investigation for leaking classified information about the Iran War, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and more. Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside the Pentagon in order to leak classified information.”
Sylvia also failed three polygraphs, the official added, that questioned him about leaking classified information.
An investigation remains ongoing and has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action.
“The extent of his leaking became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia in order to protect national security,” the DOD official stated. “Urgent action was needed and could not wait another second.”
Officials Leave Pentagon Under Hegseth
Sylvia previously served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, according to CBS News.
He also previously served as the vice director for the J5. The Hill said Sylvia received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart award in his career.
He is one of several officials in the Army that Hegseth’s team has ousted during his tenure.
Three senior defense officials were placed on administrative leave last year and subsequently fired following accusations of leaking information: Dan Caldwell, a former senior adviser to Hegseth; Darin Selnick, Hegseth’s deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, former chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg.
It is not clear who will replace Sylvia.
UPDATED 12:30 p.m. ET, 10/29/26: This story was updated with remarks from Sean Parnell and the DOD.
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26 Comments
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