War Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior strategic planner at the Pentagon, who is under investigation for allegedly leaking classified information to journalists. The information in question reportedly pertains to the Iran war, Russia's war in Ukraine, and other sensitive matters, according to a Department of War official.
Sylvia is accused of failing three polygraph examinations related to these alleged disclosures. The investigation has since been referred to the Justice Department. The general is also alleged to have met with journalists outside the Pentagon with the intent to leak classified material, following new media restrictions imposed by Hegseth that require reporters to be escorted within the building.
Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia served as the director of the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J5. This role is responsible for developing military strategy and advising the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Sources indicate the J5 has been sidelined from its strategic planning functions since the spring.
Sylvia's dismissal is the latest in a series of personnel changes within the Pentagon under Hegseth's tenure. He is the second officer to lead the J5 and be removed, following Lt. Gen. John McGee. Earlier this year, Hegseth also removed Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, who was then the director of the Joint Staff.
The Pentagon is reportedly considering renewed military action against Iran, with U.S. officials having warned allies in the Middle East to prepare for potential strikes and Iranian retaliation following upcoming midterm elections. Additional U.S. forces are being deployed to the region.
A 1994 graduate of West Point, Sylvia has served over three decades in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan where he was wounded. Before his role in the J5, he commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and previously served as the J5's vice director.