Lauge Risom Koch 
The Pentagon accused a recently fired three-star general of leaking classified military intelligence regarding international conflicts to the media.
The Pentagon accused a newly ousted military general of leaking sensitive information to the media. According to the Associated Press, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently fired the three-star general from a top planning post. Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia previously served as the head of strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
An anonymous defense official stated that Sylvia is currently under investigation for sharing classified intelligence with journalists. These unauthorized leaks allegedly included sensitive information regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Iran war. The official statement claims the ousted general recently failed three separate polygraph tests regarding the leaked classified materials.
The chief Pentagon spokesman confirmed the defense department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive military information. The defense department has formally referred the classified intelligence matter to the Justice Department for potential legal action. It remains unclear why the Pentagon appears to be pursuing charges in civilian courts instead of the military justice system.
Presidential response and military service
The ousted military general did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment regarding his recent dismissal. When questioned by reporters on Thursday, American President Donald Trump promised severe consequences regarding the security breach. “She’s gonna have big problems,” the president stated while incorrectly identifying the male general as a woman.
The Joint Staff initially released a supportive statement wishing Sylvia well following his sudden departure from the Pentagon. Military officials later withdrew this statement, claiming it did not appropriately reflect the full circumstances of his removal. The initial message had thanked the general and his family for their 32 years of distinguished military service.
The firing of the top planner comes as Trump weighs renewed military strikes against Iran following the upcoming midterm elections. However, defense officials insisted Sylvia was not a central planner for the eight-month-long conflict in the Middle East. Before his Pentagon assignment, the general served as the commanding officer of the 101st Airborne Division until May 2025.
Previous investigations and media restrictions
The general holds multiple military decorations, including six Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart for combat wounds. This recent termination represents Hegseth’s latest public accusation against top Pentagon officials regarding unauthorized media leaks. The defense secretary previously fired three aides from his inner circle last year during a broader leak investigation.
The three dismissed aides strongly protested their sudden terminations in a joint public statement shared by a senior colleague. They expressed deep disappointment over their unceremonious exit and accused unnamed Pentagon officials of slandering their character. Hegseth never provided additional public information detailing exactly what the three former aides were officially accused of leaking.
The Defense Department has also implemented a series of strict moves restricting media access under the current defense secretary. These new security measures require all visiting journalists to be officially escorted while operating on Pentagon grounds. The defense department also officially declared its press office a classified space completely inaccessible to working journalists.
