Hegseth Fires Army Planning Chief Sylvia Over Leak Probe
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is examining the release of classified data on Iran and Ukraine, with the case now before the Justice Department.
By Yara Nasser ·
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the Army officer who leads strategic planning at the Pentagon.
According to officials who are not authorized to speak publicly, Sylvia is the subject of an investigation into a leak. The probe determined that the general released information regarding Iran and Ukraine to reporters. No further details on the specific data shared have been provided.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed in a statement that an investigation into the release of classified information is underway. The statement noted that the case has been referred to the Justice Department for possible legal action. Parnell did not name Sylvia in the statement. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations oversaw the probe. Given the jurisdiction of that office, the investigation likely involves the thousands of air strikes over Iran that began earlier this year. Those strikes originated from airfields in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Sylvia is a West Point graduate who has served in his current planning role for less than a year. He previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division. His military record includes extensive combat service in Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds a Purple Heart and six Bronze Star medals, one of which was awarded for valor. He is one of approximately two dozen senior officers fired by Hegseth since taking office.
Some of those departures followed disagreements over the deployment of troops to American streets. Other officers were let go because Hegseth believed they obtained their positions based on race or gender. Still others were dismissed due to perceived ties to former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley. Trump has a personal dislike for Milley, and the Pentagon investigated the former chairman on charges of undermining the president. Officials indicated that investigation is currently stalled.
The leak issue is not new for Hegseth. A year and a half ago, the secretary shared classified information about airstrikes in Yemen over a Signal chat. The recipients included his wife, his brother, and others who did not possess top secret clearances. The Pentagon inspector general found that Hegseth transmitted secret information on aircraft launch times, the number of aircraft, and strike times. The inspector general stated that this information could have imperiled U.S. service members if it had been intercepted. Talk of replacing Hegseth circulated at that time, but President Trump supported the secretary.
Congress is considering language in the upcoming defense bill that would prohibit the firing of military personnel without first notifying lawmakers. A Hill staffer confirmed that this provision is under review. The dismissal of the planning director occurs while the U.S. is engaged in a contentious war with Iran. Sylvia’s role covers broad strategic planning, policy development, and long-term assessment. The direct operational command for the Iran conflict rests with Admiral Brad Cooper and his staff at Central Command, along with air and naval forces in the region.
Hegseth has shown particular concern regarding leaks since the start of his tenure, a sensitivity spurred in part by the earlier Signal incident. Anonymous reports of infighting among staff members emerged after that event. Hegseth subsequently fired several civilian staff members and threatened military officers with polygraph tests. Staff on Capitol Hill say they are often kept in the dark on military matters. Hegseth has not held a press briefing since early May, though a few background briefings for reporters have taken place.
