Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia on Oct. 28, 2026, removing the Pentagon’s top military planner amid an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of classified information regarding the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war. Multiple sources confirmed the ouster to CBS News. Sylvia served on the Joint Staff as the director for strategy, plans and policy, coordinating battle plans as President Donald Trump weighed resuming military strikes after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
General admits leaking classified material after failing polygraph tests
A Pentagon official speaking on condition of anonymity stated that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests regarding the sharing of classified information with the press. According to an internal report shared with Axios, Sylvia admitted on video after failing four polygraph tests to leaking classified material to two reporters from separate outlets over a one-year period. The investigation revealed that the communications occurred via the secure Signal app and included an in-person meeting at a Silver Diner in Arlington, Virginia. Two other Pentagon sources disputed the polygraph accusations to CBS News, while Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated on social media that the department took necessary personnel action following an extensive Air Force Office of Special Investigations review.
Did You Know? Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia is a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division with a 32-year combat career, including multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, a Bronze Star for Valor, and a Purple Heart earned after being wounded in a gunfight with the Taliban.
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…
Joint Staff retracts initial statement thanking general for service
The sudden removal caught the office of Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, off guard. Caine’s staff initially released a statement thanking Sylvia for his 32 years of distinguished service, but retracted it shortly afterward. A Joint Staff spokesperson explained that the initial statement did not appropriately reflect the full circumstances of the departure. The Pentagon has fired or forced the retirement of roughly two dozen high-ranking military officers during Hegseth’s tenure as part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of general and admiral positions by 20%.
Removal leaves critical vacancy during Middle East troop deployments
Sylvia’s removal as head of the “J5” directorate leaves a critical vacancy in long-term military planning as a third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops deploy to the Middle East. Diplomats briefed on the matter have advised regional allies to prepare for potential renewed military action after the Nov. 3 midterm elections and possible Iranian retaliation. President Trump told reporters on Oct. 29 that Sylvia is “gonna have big problems” and emphasized that the administration is actively pursuing government sources who disclose sensitive national security details to the media.
Read @nancyayoussef on Hegseth's latest military purge just as the war is about to intensify https://t.co/hUOUXkP1FY
General Brett Sylvia faces allegations of leaking classified information
Who is Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia?
Sylvia served as the director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, functioning as the Pentagon’s chief military planner. He is a 32-year Army veteran, a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division, and a Purple Heart recipient.
What specific allegations led to the general’s dismissal?
A Pentagon official stated that Sylvia was accused of misconduct for allegedly leaking classified information regarding the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war, failing polygraph tests during the investigation.
What legal steps has the Pentagon taken following the firing?
The Pentagon referred the case, along with others, to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution and further legal action.
How will the departure of the Pentagon’s lead military planner influence ongoing strategic preparations in the Middle East?
We are rapidly diminishing our national security over Hairgel Pete Hegseth’s insecurities. The only saving grace is that Xi has been purging his military of experienced officers, too.But that’s only a temporary reprieve. Until we have new Pentagon leadership that isn’t focused…
More on Brett Sylvia
The United States has fired its top military planner, The Atlantic reported Wednesday, in a surprise shake-up as President Donald Trump appears to be preparing to resume large-scale strikes against Iran.https://t.co/ukpNIQKhbT pic.twitter.com/pCaeUlKszh
Exclusive: Fired general admitted to leaking classified Iran and Ukraine info to two different reporters at two different outlets, report shared with @Axios showsBonus question: guess the Arlington diner where it happened?w/@TomNovelly https://t.co/VXy8oVcKvs
👀🇺🇸 Hegseth Just Removed A Key Pentagon War PlannerUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff’s top officer for Strategy, Plans and Policy.No public explanation has been given for the decision.The timing is striking. Sylvia’s…
JUST IN:US secratery of War Pete Hegseth has removed army lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner, without giving a public explanation, according to The Atlantic.Sylvia was a key link between US military forces, the Pentagon and the White House.… pic.twitter.com/HLPtxkn41F
🚨 BREAKING: PENTAGON CLASSIFIED LEAK INVESTIGATION REFERRED TO DOJ! 🇺🇸Defense Secretary PETE HEGSETH has removed Lt. Gen. BRETT SYLVIA, one of the Pentagon’s TOP military strategists, amid allegations involving unauthorized disclosures of CLASSIFIED INFORMATION concerning the…
A Department of War official told Fox News that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt.Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff’s director for strategy, plans and policy, amid an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information to journalists about the Iran war, Russia’s… https://t.co/ZUKJZYeCsf pic.twitter.com/d9zAEnTdS2
NEW: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth ousted Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia this week, according to sources. – The Atlantic/The Hill pic.twitter.com/Kc5Rqg4AqA
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