Senior Pentagon Strategist Dismissed Amid Classified Leak Inquiry

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed a senior Pentagon strategic planner during an ongoing investigation into allegations that classified information regarding the Iran conflict, Russia's war in Ukraine, and other sensitive subjects was disclosed to journalists, according to a Department of War official speaking to Fox News.

The official stated that Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations concerning the alleged disclosures, and the matter has been referred to the Department of Justice for review. Sylvia was additionally accused of meeting reporters outside the Pentagon following the implementation of new media restrictions by Hegseth that mandate reporter escorts within the facility.

Sylvia held the position of director of the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, commonly referred to as the J5, where he was responsible for formulating military strategy and advising the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Sources cited by Fox News indicated that the J5 has been sidelined from that specific function since the spring.

According to reports from The Atlantic, the removal followed a loss of confidence by Hegseth amid tensions involving Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby. Sylvia represents the second officer leading the J5 to depart under Hegseth's tenure, following the earlier removal of Lt. Gen. John McGee, while Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims was also removed from his post as director of the Joint Staff earlier in the year.

Sylvia graduated from West Point in 1994 and completed a military career spanning more than three decades in the Army, which included multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, combat injuries, and previous commands including the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. Fox News reported that Sylvia's departure forms part of a broader leadership turnover under Hegseth involving the departures of nearly two dozen generals, admirals, and senior personnel.