Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a top Army officer, accusing him of leaking classified information about Iran and Russia to the media.
The dismissal follows a broader investigation using polygraph tests to identify leakers within the Pentagon. Sylvia, a combat veteran and director of strategy on the Joint Staff, failed three polygraph exams, though no criminal evidence has been confirmed. The case has been referred to the Justice Department.
This action is part of an unprecedented campaign targeting leaks, including subjecting roughly 50 Joint Staff members to polygraphs last year over reports on munitions shortages linked to the Iran conflict. Polygraph results are not admissible in courts-martial. The investigation into Sylvia continues, and he denied sharing sensitive information despite acknowledging contact with a journalist.
The firing was first reported by The Atlantic.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing