Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior military planner on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following allegations that he leaked classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars to journalists.
According to a Department of War official, Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations related to the allegations, and the investigation has been referred to the Department of Justice. Sylvia also allegedly met with journalists outside the Pentagon intending to leak classified materials after Hegseth imposed a policy requiring reporters to be escorted inside the building.
Sylvia was removed from his position as director of the Joint Staff’s Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, known as J5, which helps develop and coordinate military plans.
